Article by Romeo Ene – Published Saturday, December 20, 2025, 12:21 / Updated Saturday, December 20, 2025 12:24
Arne Slot (47 years old), his coach Liverpooltalked about his physical transformation Florian Wirtz (22 years old) to cope with the demands of the Premier League. The German midfielder seems to have found his rhythm after a hesitant start. The “Cormorants” acquired him in the summer for 130 million euros from Leverkusen.
Florian Wirtz follows a special muscle strengthening program to increase muscle mass. The objective is to adapt to the high physical level of the Premier League, he explained Slot.
What Arne Slot says about Florian Wirtz: “I hope it's clear”
The Dutch coach is happy with the German international's progress in recent weeks. Liverpool are preparing for the away game against Tottenham, and they want to reach six consecutive games without defeat.
According to Slot, the attacking midfielder, who has added over 2.5 kilograms of muscle mass thanks to this program, is starting to adapt to the pace of English football.
“I hope it's clear that I mean all the players who needed adaptation, not just the young ones. Florian has improved significantly in that respect. He's building his body for the Premier League.
I am not talking about the technical side, because it was obvious from the beginning that he is a top player. I saw one phase against Brighton where he took the ball from Szoboszlai, dribbled, got pushed but kept going. He then crossed for Ekitike, who shot wide.
He later won a duel with Van Hecke. Salah's counterattack and shot followed. In such moments you see that things become simpler for him. It takes a lot of effort to play at this intensity, but you get used to it,” said Slot, quoted by sportal.gr.
Asked about the secret to progress, Slot explained. “It's a combination. Fitness and weight training. Many players have increased their muscle mass. This is a part. The second is that you can't be ready for 90 minutes in the Premier League with just the weight room. It's about playing match by match.
The only way a player gets better is by playing. We used many footballers during the season. The only way Florian, Mac Allister, Bradley and Gomez get stronger is to play. It's a combination, but weight room work plays a big part,” Slot concluded his speech.
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