Revealed: Why Florian Wirtz Wasn’t in Liverpool’s Squad Against Preston North End | OneFootball

Why Florian Wirtz Was Absent From Liverpool’s Win Over Preston North End

Liverpool kicked off their 2025 pre-season campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Preston North End at Deepdale, but the absence of star signing Florian Wirtz left many fans wondering. Conor Bradley and Darwin Nunez gave the Reds a two-goal cushion before Liam Lindsay pulled one back for the hosts. Cody Gakpo’s late strike ensured the win, yet the focus post-match shifted towards the German midfielder and his unexplained omission.

Careful Management from Arne Slot

Arne Slot, fresh from delivering Liverpool’s first Premier League title since Jurgen Klopp’s departure, approached the new season with calculated caution. Despite the excitement around Wirtz’s arrival, Slot opted to leave him, along with Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Luis Diaz and Ibrahima Konate, back at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby. The decision was rooted not in injury concerns but in a careful fitness management strategy.

Photo: IMAGO

Building Fitness for a Demanding Season

There were no reported injuries for Wirtz or the other absent stars. Slot was simply determined to manage workloads ahead of what promises to be a demanding season, with Liverpool expected to challenge on multiple fronts. “Given the understandably disruptive start to Liverpool’s pre-season, Arne Slot is taking no risks over the fitness of his players,” explained a club source.

With Florian Wirtz being Liverpool’s record signing, expectations are sky-high. Slot, however, made it clear that he will not rush the German international into the line-up purely to satisfy curiosity or headlines. Fans eager to see Wirtz pull the strings in midfield will need to wait a little longer, but the manager’s priority is to have him at peak condition when the season truly intensifies.

Promising Debuts and Squad Depth on Display

While Wirtz watched from Kirkby, Liverpool fans got their first glimpse of new goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, the only summer signing to start. Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Freddie Woodman and Armin Pecsi were all on the bench, with the first three all making their debuts in the second half. On the pitch, Mohamed Salah led the line alongside Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa. Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Trey Nyoni controlled midfield, while Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, Luca Stephenson and Kostas Tsimikas made up the defensive line.

Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton were also missing, taking extended breaks after England’s U21 European Championship triumph.

Looking Ahead

Liverpool’s performance against Preston North End showed both their squad depth and the thoughtful approach Arne Slot is applying to player management. While Florian Wirtz’s absence was noticeable, the long-term view taken by the club suggests that fans will soon be rewarded with a fully fit and integrated Wirtz. For now, Liverpool can be pleased with a strong start and a smart, measured approach to what lies ahead.