Liverpool are preparing to return to Premier League action after the international break, with Arne Slot’s side set to face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground
Liverpool suffered a resounding defeat against Manchester City before the international break. Arne Slot’s squad will be looking to bounce back when they take on Nottingham Forest next.
Despite kicking off the season with high hopes for the title, such aspirations have dwindled as the Reds have suffered five Premier League losses in six matches. The most recent of these was a 3-0 defeat at the hands of a dominant City team.
Sean Dyche’s Forest are the next hurdle for Liverpool’s top players as they return from international duty. Among those who have been away is German star Florian Wirtz.
The 22 year old arrived on Merseyside over the summer for a staggering £116million. However, Wirtz has struggled to live up to such a hefty price tag and one of his German teammates has now spoken out about his struggles.
Wirtz’s performance since his £116m summer transfer from Bayer Leverkusen has been a hot topic this season. The German has yet to make an impact with a goal or assist in the Premier League, appearing somewhat out of his depth.
However, another German who relocated to England over the summer, Newcastle’s new signing Nick Woltemade, has offered some indirect advice to Wirtz, suggesting that adaptation takes time and that he’s having a greater impact on games than he’s receiving recognition for.
“For every player adjusting isn’t easy. On paper, you might not see the goals but if you compare my games with his he’s much more involved in the game,” Woltemade explained to RTL.
“I’m probably in the right place three or four times, get the ball and put it in the net. He on the other hand is very active in the game. He has many touches and makes good plays.”
Georgian shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili arrived at Anfield during the summer transfer window and has been thrust into the limelight sooner than expected due to Alisson’s hamstring problem.
Throughout his outings, Mamardashvili has shown glimpses of promise whilst also making a number of mistakes. He came under fire for his role, or lack thereof, in Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United last month and gave away a penalty against City.
Things haven’t got any better for Mamardashvili when pulling on the Georgia shirt either. The goalkeeper was in goal as Spain demolished them 4-0 on Saturday.
While Mamardashvili’s display wasn’t completely underwhelming, he was caught out by Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi for Spain’s second goal and couldn’t keep out a spot-kick inside 11 minutes. This loss dashed Georgia’s World Cup dreams and piled additional pressure on Mamardashvili.
French centre-back Ibrahima Konate continues to be one of Slot’s favoured defenders at Anfield, although he’s still to agree new terms with Liverpool.
His current contract runs until 2026. Speculation has connected Real Madrid with a swoop for the defender on a free transfer, but while on international duty with France, Konate has dropped a major hint about when his future will be decided.
“My agents continue to discuss with Liverpool. I hope my decision will be made very soon so I can announce it,” Konate disclosed before France’s clash with Azerbaijan.
When asked whether Liverpool had already put forward new terms, he rejected these suggestions, saying: “I don’t know where that’s coming from.”
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