Slot Turns to Wirtz for Creativity as Liverpool Adjusts to Life After Trent

Liverpool are entering a new era — one without Trent Alexander-Arnold, their long-serving playmaker from right-back, who sealed a blockbuster move to Real Madrid earlier this summer. While the Reds have secured Jeremie Frimpong as a defensive reinforcement, manager Arne Slot is turning to an unlikely source to fill the creative void: new signing Florian Wirtz.

No More Trent: A Huge Gap to Fill

During his time at Anfield, Alexander-Arnold redefined the fullback role, registering a Premier League record 64 assists by a defender. His inch-perfect crosses, pinpoint diagonals, and vision from deep made him a consistent match-winner — particularly when breaking down deep defensive blocks.

Despite occasional questions over his defensive positioning, few doubted his offensive contributions. As Slot acknowledged in a post-match interview after Liverpool’s final pre-season friendlies:

“We have lost with Trent a lot of creativity from the back. Trent’s crosses and picking out runners was so special.”

Enter Florian Wirtz: Creativity, Repositioned

Rather than placing the creative burden on his new right-back Frimpong, Slot believes Wirtz, the 22-year-old German playmaker, can replicate Trent’s impact — albeit from a very different position.

“I think Florian has this quality as well in a totally different position,” Slot said. “But he brings that creativity.”

Signed from Bayer Leverkusen in one of the summer’s marquee transfers, Wirtz arrives with a reputation as one of Europe’s brightest attacking midfielders.

By the Numbers: Wirtz in 2024–25

In the last Bundesliga season, Wirtz ranked:

• Top 3 for assists

• Top 3 for expected assists (xA)

• Top 3 for passes into the penalty area

While the Bundesliga is often more open and transition-heavy than the Premier League, these numbers underline Wirtz’s elite final-third intelligence and ability to unlock defenses.

Slot is counting on that flair to supplement Liverpool’s creativity, especially in the central zones where the Reds sometimes struggled last season.

“There is always room for improvement in every department,” Slot added. “We have added a few extra weapons. Florian has a lot of creativity in the final third.”

Tactical Evolution Underway

Slot’s comments hint at a tactical shift for Liverpool. With less creativity coming from the flanks, particularly from deep, Liverpool may now look to dominate centrally — using Wirtz’s movement between the lines, quick combinations, and ability to create space for runners like Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz, and Mohamed Salah.

In essence, Liverpool are moving from crossfield diagonals to clever verticals — a necessary evolution in the post-Trent era.