Florian Wirtz has revealed that private dressing room meetings were the catalyst behind Liverpool rescuing their 2025-26 season following a disastrous run of autumn results.
The reigning champions suffered a shocking collapse between September and November, losing six out of seven league fixtures.
That dismal run effectively derailed their title defence before the winter transfer window had even opened.
However, the Merseyside club have since suffered defeat just three times in their subsequent 23 matches across all competitions.
Player-led intervention
The £116m summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen explained that the squad took matters into their own hands when performances plummeted.
“There were a few meetings in the changing room with only us players,” Wirtz said.
“We had a difficult start and this club and this team was not used to this, that we don’t win almost every game.”
The attacking midfielder noted that maintaining collective belief was crucial for the group to process their struggles and improve.
Finding momentum in England
The Germany international initially found it difficult to adapt to the relentless pace of English football following his blockbuster move.
It took the highly-rated playmaker four months to register his first league goal for Arne Slot’s side.
“Most what I did was just to make myself strong in the head to bring myself to the best position to bring it on the pitch and that helped also,” Wirtz added.
“It was really good to start scoring and from then on it was easier to find the goal more.”
Since breaking his duck in December, the former Bundesliga star has flourished and now boasts 14 goal contributions across all competitions.
Slot’s unwavering faith
Liverpool’s Dutch manager never doubted his marquee signing’s ability to impact games despite the early goal drought.
Speaking after the midfielder’s breakthrough goal, Slot praised his overall contribution to the team’s attacking play.
“The team have seen how much he did already for us, creating chances and being so close to a goal,” Slot remarked.
“He will go on and score many more goals than one for us.”
With domestic silverware still to play for and a Champions League campaign ongoing, the Anfield outfit appear to have fully rediscovered their momentum.
Arne Slot will take charge of his 100th Liverpool match when they face Galatasaray in the Champions League last 16, knowing a victory will secure the best start by any manager in the club’s history.
The Dutchman reaches the century milestone during a crucial first-leg tie in Istanbul.
A victory against the Turkish champions would mark his 63rd win, surpassing the current 100-game record held by club legend Kenny Dalglish.
Overcoming recent inconsistencies
Slot’s impressive overall win percentage is heavily bolstered by a spectacular start to his Anfield tenure, which saw him victorious in 18 of his first 20 matches.
However, recent form has drawn criticism from sections of the fanbase following a challenging run of results.
The Reds have experienced a statistical dip over their last 36 outings, registering a 50% win rate during a period that included nine defeats in 12 matches.
One of those losses occurred at Rams Park against Tuesday’s opponents, making this swift rematch particularly perilous.
A favourable European draw
Liverpool finished third in the initial Champions League phase this season, earning a tie against a side that qualified in 20th place.
This represents a marked difference from last year, when the Merseyside outfit topped the standings only to be drawn against Paris St-Germain.
The current tournament format provides the crucial insurance of a second leg at Anfield, alleviating the immediate pressure to secure an outright win in Turkey.
The visitors simply need to ensure they remain competitive and avoid a heavy defeat before returning to home soil.
Seeking continental glory
Despite domestic struggles during his sophomore season, the 46-year-old manager has guided his squad further in both the FA Cup and European competition.
A special status is historically bestowed upon managers who deliver European success at Anfield.
Their continental pedigree remains intact this term, having already claimed notable scalps including Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan.
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is facing severe criticism from the Spanish press following a sudden dip in form during his season-long loan at Barcelona.
The England international has failed to register a goal or an assist in his last four appearances across all competitions.
This barren run comes after a promising start to life in Catalonia, where he initially contributed 10 goals and 13 assists in 37 matches.
However, the former Aston Villa loanee was substituted after just 62 minutes during a recent narrow victory over Athletic Club.
Media patience wears thin
Regional publications have been quick to highlight the struggles of the academy graduate following that latest underwhelming performance.
Catalan daily newspaper Sport described his display against Athletic Club as a completely unremarkable missed opportunity.
“The Briton was quite lacklustre, never once getting past his marker, losing possession frequently, and looking uncomfortable.”
Meanwhile, Spanish outlet Diario AS labelled the output of the Manchester United loanee as both disastrous and frustrating.
They also questioned whether his recent performances justify a permanent transfer at the end of the current season.
“The English forward continues to show many weaknesses. So many, in fact, that many fans are questioning whether paying 30 million for him this summer would be worthwhile.”
Uncertain future at Old Trafford
The versatile attacker moved to La Liga in July after failing to secure a place in the plans of Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim.
This temporary switch followed a previous domestic loan spell at Aston Villa during the latter half of the 2024-25 campaign.
Despite these recent individual struggles, Barcelona remain top of the league table and are competing in the Champions League knockout stages.
The forward now faces a crucial period to recapture his early-season form before a definitive decision regarding his club future is made this summer.
Tottenham Hotspur are seriously considering the appointment of Italian executive Cristiano Giuntoli as their new sporting director following his recent appearance at a Premier League match.
Spurs are actively searching for a new head of football operations following the departure of Fabio Paratici.
The north London club face a crucial summer transfer window as they look to overhaul a squad that has endured a disappointing campaign.
Getting a structural leader in place quickly is seen as imperative for the hierarchy to begin their rebuilding plans.
Sighting fuels speculation over appointment
Rumours intensified when the 54-year-old was spotted in the stands at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during a recent fixture against Crystal Palace.
While reports from Italy suggest a formal approach is being weighed up, it has also been claimed his attendance was merely to watch former colleague Igor Tudor.
The award-winning executive is currently assessing his future in the game.
Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman is another prominent name who features on a growing shortlist of candidates.
A track record of building champions
The esteemed talent spotter has a stellar reputation across Europe for astute squad building and intelligent recruitment.
He was recently named best sporting director at the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards after orchestrating highly successful transfer windows in Serie A.
His crowning achievement was the bargain signing of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who inspired Napoli to a historic league title before the director’s move to Turin.
Juventus executive John Elkann has previously offered glowing praise of the director’s philosophy.
“Giuntoli will bring a way of working that enhances young talents and builds champions.”
John Elkann
Securing his signature would represent a major coup as the Premier League side seeks a swift return to Champions League contention.
US President Donald Trump has offered asylum to the Iranian women’s football team following their refusal to sing the national anthem before a match in Australia.
The players sparked international concern after remaining silent during their country’s anthem ahead of a fixture against South Korea on 2 March.
State television in the Middle Eastern nation condemned the initial act of defiance as a “pinnacle of dishonour”, despite the squad observing the anthem in two subsequent games.
Expatriate crowds in the host nation are now urging the Australian government to protect the athletes from potential retaliation.
Presidential intervention
Taking to his Truth Social platform, the American president warned that the players face grave danger if forced to return home.
“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed.”
He directly appealed to the Australian Prime Minister to grant the squad immediate sanctuary.
“Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM. The U.S. will take them if you won’t.”
Geopolitical tensions escalate
This dramatic sporting intervention arrives during a period of extreme military volatility between Washington and Tehran.
The United States recently authorised military strikes against the Islamic Republic, resulting in the death of the country’s supreme leader.
That unprecedented military action has already plunged the wider region into deep political chaos.
Meanwhile, crowds of Iranian expats have been demonstrating outside stadiums during the ongoing tournament.
Fans were seen waving the pre-1979 Imperial Iranian flag while chanting for the safe harbour of the protesting squad.
Liverpool aim to avenge their earlier defeat to Galatasaray, while relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur visit Atletico Madrid as the Champions League last-16 gets under way on Tuesday.
The Merseyside club travel to Istanbul at 17:45 GMT hoping to demonstrate their recent domestic resurgence on the European stage.
They suffered a miserable league-phase defeat against the Turkish side in September, sparked by a Victor Osimhen penalty.
That disappointing result compounded early-season struggles which ultimately derailed their Premier League title defence.
However, Friday’s FA Cup victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers suggests the English heavyweights are finally rebuilding their momentum.
Reds boosted by returning stars
Goalkeeper Alisson remains sidelined for the crucial away leg, joining forward Hugo Ekitike on the treatment table.
Yet, the timely return of playmaker Florian Wirtz provides a significant creative boost for the visitors.
They will be desperate to avoid a repeat of Juventus’ fate, after the Italian giants crumbled to a 5-2 defeat at Rams Park in the play-off round.
Securing a positive result in Turkey is vital ahead of the decisive return leg at Anfield.
Tudor faces European dilemma
Later on Tuesday, Tottenham resume their continental campaign against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid at 20:00 GMT.
The high-profile fixture presents a bizarre paradox for the North London side, who originally qualified by winning last season’s Europa League.
While former manager Thomas Frank comfortably navigated the group stage, his successor Igor Tudor is now battling a severe domestic crisis.
Spurs are currently engulfed in a fierce Premier League relegation fight and suffer from a severely depleted squad.
“The situation is not ideal.”
The Croatian head coach admitted his team are short on confidence following Thursday’s humbling home defeat by Crystal Palace.
This prestigious knockout tie may be viewed by many supporters as an unwelcome distraction from their primary goal of top-flight survival.
Newcastle prepare for historic night
Elsewhere, Newcastle United are preparing for what has been billed as the biggest game in the club’s modern history.
Eddie Howe’s men will look to make a lasting impact in Europe as the knockout stages intensify across the continent.
Bayer Leverkusen head coach Kasper Hjulmand faces an uncertain future at the club ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League tie against Arsenal.
The Bundesliga side plan to conduct a thorough review of the managerial position at the end of the current campaign.
Reports from Germany indicate that a change in the dugout cannot be ruled out from the summer onwards.
The 58-year-old was initially appointed to stabilise the BayArena outfit following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag.
Promising start fades into recent wobble
The former Denmark boss has successfully steered his squad into the knockout stages of Europe’s premier club competition.
They also remain firmly within reach of the European qualification places domestically and have reached a DFB-Pokal semi-final.
However, an initially promising tenure has given way to a difficult run of form since the end of February.
The German outfit have secured victory in just one of their past five matches across all competitions.
Defensive turmoil precedes Gunners visit
Speculation surrounding the manager’s position arrives directly after a frustrating 3-3 league draw away to Freiburg on Saturday.
The visitors fought back from behind twice to take the lead before Matthias Ginter struck an equaliser four minutes from time.
That domestic stumble occurred on the same weekend the Premier League leaders secured a dramatic late victory over Mansfield Town courtesy of an Eberechi Eze strike.
Reflecting on the weekend’s defensive collapse, the Leverkusen boss expressed clear frustration with his team’s lack of control.
“It was a good game for the fans, but for me as a coach there was too much turmoil,” he admitted.
“We started very well and then showed a strong mental reaction after going behind twice.”
“We had to defend hard in the final phase. We’re disappointed with the result, but Freiburg also did very well.”
AC Milan have blown the Serie A title race wide open by defeating rivals Inter Milan to close the gap at the top to seven points.
The Rossoneri secured their second derby victory of the campaign thanks to a decisive strike from Pervis Estupiñán.
Inter dominated portions of the match but were left frustrated as Federico Dimarco and Henrikh Mkhitaryan squandered clear scoring opportunities.
With just 10 matches remaining, the result breathes unexpected life into a Scudetto battle that previously looked certain to end at San Siro’s blue-and-black divide.
Allegri relieves pressure
Manager Max Allegri has consistently downplayed championship expectations this season by insisting Champions League qualification remains the primary objective.
That pragmatic narrative has shielded the squad from intense scrutiny, despite the club adding high-profile veterans like Adrien Rabiot and Luka Modric to their ranks.
This statement victory will undoubtedly satisfy the demanding fanbase and temporarily silence rumours linking the Italian tactician with the Real Madrid job.
Arsenal survive FA Cup scare
Elsewhere in Europe, Arsenal narrowly avoided a humiliating FA Cup exit after heavily rotating their starting XI against Mansfield Town.
With a crucial Champions League round-of-16 tie looming, the Gunners required a late goal and the emergency introduction of several first-team regulars to secure progression.
Premier League rivals Chelsea enjoyed a far more comfortable weekend, abruptly ending Wrexham’s cup fairytale with a commanding performance.
Yamal extends Barcelona advantage
In Spain, Lamine Yamal continued his extraordinary rise by guiding Barcelona to a crucial La Liga victory over Athletic Club.
The teenage sensation was instrumental throughout the contest, demonstrating exactly why he is considered the most promising young talent in world football.
That triumph extends the Catalan giants’ lead at the league summit to four points ahead of defending champions Real Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side remain in close pursuit despite continuing a recent trend of unconvincing domestic victories.