Revealed – The Real Reason Florian Wirtz Was Not In Liverpool Squad at Preston | OneFootball

Wirtz Absent but Working: Liverpool’s Patience Is Part of the Plan

No debut but no day off either

Liverpool’s pre-season got underway with a 3-1 win over Preston North End at Deepdale, but the name on every fan’s lips was nowhere to be seen. Florian Wirtz, the £116 million arrival and Liverpool’s most expensive signing, was missing from the squad. Not even on the bench, not even on the coach.

It raised eyebrows. Supporters who made the trip had hoped for a first glimpse of the German playmaker in red. Instead, they were left to watch the next generation, with senior figures like Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Alexis Mac Allister also absent from the squad.

Photo IMAGO

But this was not a case of resting on laurels. According to The Athletic, Wirtz and the other senior players spent Sunday back at the AXA Training Centre undertaking individual sessions. The closed-door nature of early pre-season training has made it harder for fans to track progress, but the message is clear: this is a slow build, not a rushed unveiling.

Training ground focus

Arne Slot, overseeing his second pre-season in charge, opted to manage workloads rather than bow to hype. The likes of Luis Diaz, Ibrahima Konate and Van Dijk, who joined Wirtz at Kirkby rather than travelling to Preston, are all seen as essential to getting this new Liverpool regime firing early.

Photo: IMAGO

While cameras spotted some senior figures around Deepdale, it is still unclear whether Wirtz was present. What is known, however, is that Liverpool are easing their record signing into full match rhythm. It was never about one friendly in July, it is about the full stretch ahead.

Eyes on Hong Kong

With the next match not until July 26 against AC Milan in Hong Kong, there is time on Liverpool’s side. Wirtz is expected to feature there, assuming all continues to go smoothly at Kirkby. Fans will be hoping to see the player that lit up the Bundesliga last season finally pull on the red shirt in a competitive setting.

The disappointment of missing out on his debut will linger briefly, but in truth, Slot and his staff have made a pragmatic call. Integration beats instant gratification.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

It is easy to understand the disappointment of fans who made the journey to Preston hoping to see Liverpool’s most expensive signing get his first minutes. But sometimes, common sense wins over emotion, and this was one of those cases.

Wirtz arrived with a huge price tag and plenty of expectation. The temptation to rush him into the action would have been strong, especially with supporters eager to connect with their new star. Instead, Slot and his staff took a considered view, opting to ensure Wirtz is fully prepared before his debut.

This reflects a shift in how Liverpool are doing things under the new manager. Fitness and rhythm come first, and that should be seen as a positive. The club have been here before with key players breaking down early after hurried introductions.

What fans want more than anything is to see Wirtz firing when it matters. If that means holding off on his debut for a couple more weeks, then so be it. Hong Kong looks like the more fitting stage for him to begin his Anfield journey.

The important thing is that Liverpool get it right, not that they do it quickly.