Lineker offers his view on Slot selection dilemma which angered Liverpool fans

Lineker's Take on Liverpool's Slot Selection Dilemma

Liverpool started their match against Aston Villa without summer signing Florian Wirtz, winning 2-0. Some fans questioned manager Arne Slot's choice to leave Wirtz out of the starting lineup.

Experts Support Slot's Decision

Gary Lineker and Micah Richards agreed that Slot made the right call by benching Wirtz and choosing Alexis Mac Allister instead. This move helped Liverpool end a four-game losing streak in the league.

Wirtz came on in the second half, but his delayed inclusion raises questions about where he fits into Slot's long-term plans.

Gradual Integration Favored

Richards and Lineker both believe Wirtz should be introduced into the team slowly to reduce pressure on the young player adapting to the Premier League.

"If you have Wirtz, and at the moment, he’s not quite up to speed for the Premier League, but they spent £100 million on him, so it’s difficult. It was 100 percent the right decision that he [Arne Slot] made, without a doubt." – Micah Richards

Richards added that despite the large investment, Liverpool has also lost important players and must rebuild carefully.

"Liverpool now just have to go back to what they did last season, slowly but surely move Wirtz into the side, whether that’s on the left, maybe for Gakpo at some point." – Micah Richards
Summary

Experts commend Slot's cautious approach with Wirtz, emphasizing patience to integrate the expensive signing without rushing his adaptation to the Premier League.

Author's Note: Arne Slot’s careful handling of Florian Wirtz’s introduction reflects a strategic balance between expectations and the player's readiness for top-flight football.

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Liverpool.com Liverpool.com — 2025-11-03

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