While slot

With Alisson Becker: Arne Slot has challenged Florian Wirtz to meet the high standards set by Mohamed Salah if he is to live up to Liverpool’s expectations as their new record signing.

Wirtz is set to make his Premier League debut when the reigning champions kick off their campaign at home against Bournemouth on Friday. While Slot praised the German international’s smooth adaptation - saying it “went better than expected, and we already expected a lot” - he acknowledged that a true measure of his impact will take time.

Liverpool view the 22-year-old as a game-changing addition, much like Virgil van Dijk and Alisson were in their early days at the club. Slot believes Wirtz can reach a similar level of influence by following in the footsteps of Salah, who remains the benchmark at Anfield and holds the Premier League record with nine goals in seven opening-day appearances.