Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has stirred debate by suggesting that Liverpool boss Arne Slot may have “destroyed” his team with one major signing.
Despite Liverpool’s Premier League triumph last season, the club spent over £400 million during the summer transfer window to strengthen the squad. Many believed Slot had assembled one of the strongest teams in Europe, capable of dominating both domestically and internationally.
However, the Reds stumbled early in the campaign, losing six matches across all competitions and falling seven points behind new title contenders Arsenal. Recent wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid have helped them regain momentum, but questions remain about whether Liverpool can sustain that form in the Premier League and Champions League.
Wenger voiced his concerns on beIN SPORTS, pointing specifically to the £116 million signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. The young German arrived at Anfield with high expectations but has struggled to adapt, starting inconsistently and often finding himself on the bench.
“Liverpool is an interesting case,” Wenger explained. “When Wirtz had the chance to join Bayern Munich or Liverpool, he told Liverpool he would only come if he could play as a No.10 and not on the wing. They agreed — but that decision disrupted a perfectly balanced midfield of Gravenberch, Mac Allister, and Szoboszlai. To fit Wirtz in, Szoboszlai was dropped.”
According to Wenger, that change unsettled the team’s rhythm. “Against Aston Villa, they went back to last year’s midfield — and they won. For the Real Madrid match, Wirtz started again, but I expect Slot will eventually play him on the wing to maintain the team’s structure,” he added.
Following Liverpool’s Champions League win over Madrid, Slot expressed satisfaction with his team’s response to recent struggles.
“I’m very pleased,” the Dutch manager said. “It’s been a tough few weeks with so many away games and little rest. Playing in front of these fans against Real Madrid lifts the whole team. It was a great performance against a side that’s only lost once all season. Maybe it could have been even better.”
Liverpool’s next test comes this weekend in a high-stakes Premier League clash against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City — a match that could reveal whether Slot’s side has truly rediscovered its winning formula
