Florian Wirtz market value shows clear Liverpool truth after Arne Slot message

Florian Wirtz has yet to score a goal for Liverpool since his big-money move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, but his market value has continued to rise

Despite his goal drought since joining Liverpool, Florian Wirtz's market value has been on the rise. The Reds secured Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in a summer transfer deal that could reach £116million with add-ons.

At the time, this was potentially a club and British transfer record, until Liverpool later snapped up Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for a whopping £125m. Wirtz was handed the iconic No.7 shirt at Anfield, left vacant after Luis Diaz's departure to Bayern Munich.

Wirtz, however, is yet to net his first goal for Liverpool, though he has provided three assists, two of which were in the Champions League. Despite not scoring in the Premier League, the German put on a stellar show against Real Madrid in Europe, where he was deployed on the left wing.

Since his nine-figure signing, all eyes have been on Wirtz's performances in a Liverpool shirt. The CIES Football Observatory has offered some positive news regarding Wirtz's market value, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The site values Wirtz at up to €173million (£152million), significantly more than what Liverpool paid Leverkusen, even if all add-ons are included. Considering Wirtz is only 22, there's ample opportunity for his value to climb even higher.

Arne Slot, Liverpool's head coach, has defended Florian Wirtz's goal-scoring form during a press conference earlier this week.

“You can say he [has only] started one of the last four but you can also say he's started eight, nine, 10 or 11 already this season," Slot told reporters on Monday, around 24 hours before Liverpool's 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League.

"I've said this quite a lot, it is not being used as an excuse but just how it is, many times we have to play three games in seven days with only two days' rest in between.

"For a player who comes from a different league - which is a very good league by the way - nine out of 10 people would agree the Premier League is a bit more intense, especially in all the games.

"If you look at that then he already played a lot.

"He has had his impact in a lot of games but has been unlucky with the end product either by himself or his team-mates.

"For me, he exactly brought what we expected, a player who created a lot for the team.

"He will have his goals but I don’t think it comes as a surprise to anyone that if you’re 22 or 23 and come to a different league that you might need some time to adjust to that intensity if you play every three days, with only two days' rest in between.

"Before, Ryan Gravenberch was sitting here (in the press conference) and it took him a while to adjust to the intensity, maybe even longer than it is going to take Florian."