WIRTZ HIS WEIGHT IN GOLD

Kop boss Slot backs £116m 'artist' to work his magic and handle the derby heat

- BY PAUL GORST

ARNE SLOT believes Florian Wirtz has the right mentality to handle the Merseyside derby because Liverpool's £116million man wouldn't have reached the Premier League without it.

And the Reds boss, whose side host Everton at lunchtime, claims Wirtz won't be inhibited by his price tag.

The Germany international has yet to score a goal or provide an assist in the Premier League since his move from Bayer Leverkusen.

But he turned in his most encouraging display to date in Wednesday's 3-2 Champions League win over Atletico Madrid at Anfield.

"To say that he's [only] an artist doesn't do him justice," Slot said. "He is an artist but he can be mean as well. Otherwise, you can't reach the levels he's reaching.