Mikel Arteta applauded ONE Liverpool player who delivered Man of the match performance off the bench today against Burnley.

GIVE HIM TO ME!” – MIKEL ARTETA APPLAUDS LIVERPOOL STAR AFTER HIS MAN-OF-THE-MATCH PERFORMANCE OFF THE BENCH AGAINST BURNLEY

 

 

 

Liverpool left it late once again at Turf Moor, edging past Burnley 1-0 thanks to a stoppage-time Mohamed Salah penalty. But while Salah stole the headlines with the decisive strike, another player became the real talking point of the night—so much so that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta publicly questioned why Arne Slot keeps leaving him out of the starting XI.

 

 

 

In a bold post-match remark, Arteta said:

 

 

 

> “After watching his second-half performance yesterday, I still don’t know why Slot benched him in the first place. If he’s not ready to use him this season, then he should release him for me.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The player in question? Florian Wirtz.

 

 

 

THE BENCH TO BRILLIANCE STORY

 

 

 

Wirtz started on the bench yet again, a decision that has baffled Liverpool fans for weeks. When he was finally introduced in the second half, the game changed instantly. His movement, vision, and creativity stretched Burnley’s defense, creating the kind of chances Liverpool had been missing all night.

 

 

 

Though Salah ultimately delivered the winner from the penalty spot, it was Wirtz who orchestrated the late pressure—drawing Burnley defenders out of position, threading passes, and forcing errors that led to the decisive moment.

 

 

 

ARTETA’S OPEN ADMIRATION

 

 

 

Arteta, who has a long-standing reputation for spotting and nurturing technical midfielders, openly praised the German wonderkid.

 

 

 

> “He’s special. You could see the difference in energy, control, and ideas once he stepped on. Players like that don’t come around often. If Liverpool don’t want him, they should let him go—I’d take him tomorrow.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These words, coming from the manager of a direct Premier League rival, only amplify the debate over why Slot is limiting Wirtz’s minutes.

 

 

 

SLOT UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT

 

 

 

Arne Slot is already facing mounting criticism from pundits and supporters for being too cautious with team selections. Jamie Carragher blasted him earlier, saying no manager should bench a player of Wirtz’s quality. Now with Arteta openly admiring the midfielder, pressure on Slot has intensified.

 

 

 

Liverpool have started the season strongly in terms of results, but performances remain a concern. They dominated Burnley with over 80% possession, yet registered only three shots on target before Wirtz came on. The numbers clearly underline Carragher and Arteta’s argument—Liverpool look blunt until Wirtz is involved.

 

 

 

FAN REACTIONS

 

 

 

Fans flooded social media after Arteta’s comments. Many Reds supporters agreed, demanding Wirtz be handed a consistent starting role. Others half-jokingly warned the club not to give Arsenal any chance of swooping in if Slot continues to undervalue him.

 

 

 

One post read: “You don’t bench Wirtz, you build the team around him. Slot better wake up before someone else takes advantage.”

 

 

 

THE BIG QUESTION

 

 

 

Is Wirtz simply being eased into the system, or is Slot genuinely hesitant to make him a starter? Whatever the case, rival managers like Arteta clearly see what Liverpool have on their hands.

 

 

 

And if Slot doesn’t start using Wirtz more, fans might wonder whether Arteta’s tongue-in-cheek “release him for me” plea could become more than just a playful dig.

 

 

 

Because after Burnley, one fact is undeniabl

e: Florian Wirtz is too good to be warming the bench.

 

 

 

 

 

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