Liverpool news: Struggling star handed deadline as summer transfer plan emerges

Florian Wirtz has been told that he has until the festive season to turn his form around at Liverpool or risk falling out of favour with Arne Slot

Liverpool have now signed off from action until after the international break. Several members of Arne Slot’s squad will now head off to represent their respective countries in World Cup qualifiers ahead of the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States next summer.

They will face a huge clash upon their return to Premier League action on October 19, when they host bitter rivals Manchester United at Anfield. The clash has historically produced fireworks and the Reds will be hoping they can inflict further pain on United, who have had a difficult start to the season with Portuguese manager Ruben Amorim under increasing pressure at Old Trafford.

Slot has problems of his own to solve, however, with one of his marquee summer signings Florian Wirtz also finding himself under scrutiny. If the Reds continue to struggle for form, Slot may consider reopening the chequebook for some more firepower in January.

A new defender is likely to be a priority if they do enter the market, following the summer’s failed attempts to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace and Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending injury.

Here, Mirror Football has all you need to know on the latest news coming out of Anfield.

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Florian Wirtz handed Christmas deadline

Florian Wirtz has been warned that he may only have until Christmas to prove his worth at Liverpool or risk being cast out by Arne Slot. The Reds have saw a dip in form in recent weeks, losing to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray within the same week to damage their undefeated record.

The German’s early difficulties at Anfield have prompted Reds legend Jamie Carragher to suggest that he requires time on the substitutes’ bench. Nevertheless, no Premier League player has generated more opportunities for his teammates across all competitions this season than the 22 year old.

Yet former Reds midfielder Dietmar Hamann reckons patience is starting to run out with his fellow countryman. He expresses his view that the German international must deliver a goal or assist ahead of the Christmas period in December.

“Florian Wirtz also needs to start performing better for Liverpool. He’s played nine games, and he’s barely done anything,” he told Sky Sports Germany. “Liverpool could have lost all the close games they won at the start of the season. There was a lot of luck involved, too.

“It’s not entirely his fault, but he needs to make sure he decides a game or two, scores a goal, or provides assists between now and Christmas.

“Something has to happen with him now. He has to deliver, otherwise the discussions will erupt, not only externally but also within the club.”

Hugo Ekitike makes ambitions clear

After a moment of immaturity resulting in a red card during the Carabao Cup, Hugo Ekitike is prepared to bounce back and focus on his primary goal – securing the Premier League title with Liverpool. The Frenchman, who joined from Eintracht Frankfurt for £69million, has been performing well, contributing goals and assists for the club.

In a recent chat with the BBC, the 23-year-old revealed that his main objective is to clinch the title with the club in his debut year, stating it as the primary reason he signed up with the Reds.

When questioned about his ultimate career ambition, Ekitike said: “Difficult because I want to achieve so much in my career, but right now, the Premier League with Liverpool. Yeah, I know how special it is to win the Premier League, in English football, especially here. To win the league with Liverpool would be class.”

Ekitike will be hoping for a turnaround in form for his team, particularly after his suspension prevented him from aiding the squad against Palace. The forward netted the decisive goal for the Reds against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, only to be dismissed for a second yellow card offence after celebrating by taking off his shirt.

Slot was left disappointed with the striker following his dismissal, describing it as ‘stupid’ and ‘needless’ when criticising Ekitike during his post-match press conference.

He said: “The first one (yellow card) was already needless and to a certain extent stupid because you have to control your emotions. I know how hard it is if you play in the Premier League and you are a number nine then the defender can almost do everything he wants, and when you push him a little bit you get a free-kick against you.

“But it is always the best to control your emotions, and if you can’t then do it in a way that doesn’t lead to a yellow card.”

Slot changes transfer plans

Slot is now reportedly targeting another Crystal Palace centre-back, with Maxence Lacroix now said to be at the summit of his summer wishlist. The Reds witnessed their pursuit of Marc Guehi collapse on deadline day, but he isn’t the sole centre-back at Palace drawing attention from other clubs.

Liverpool.com now reports that certain Liverpool scouts regard Lacroix as a ‘Rolls Royce’ of a defender, who represents an appealing prospect due to his low-profile status. The club have reportedly switched focus to Lacroix after acknowledging there are no assurances that Guehi will arrive at Anfield following his failed transfer this summer.

However, Lacroix is tied to Palace until 2029, suggesting a substantial bid would be required to lure him away from Selhurst Park. Guehi’s contract with Palace expires next summer and he will be available on a free transfer.

Although he was eager to make the move to Liverpool in August, it’s still uncertain whether he’ll make the switch to Merseyside in a year’s time.

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