The Anfield “Hostage” Crisis? Guardiola Ignites Civil War Over Slot’s Use of Florian Wirtz
MANCHESTER — In what is being described as the most audacious verbal broadside in Premier League history, Pep Guardiola has shattered the “managerial code,” launching a scathing attack on Arne Slot’s management of Liverpool’s £116m crown jewel, Florian Wirtz.
The Manchester City boss, usually surgical and diplomatic in his pre-match rhetoric, discarded the script following Liverpool’s recent struggles to integrate their record-breaking summer signing. Wirtz, who arrived at Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen with the reputation of a once-in-a-generation playmaker, has found himself at the center of Slot’s ruthless rotation policy—a move that has clearly pushed Guardiola to his breaking point.
“It Makes Me Sick”
Speaking ahead of City’s latest title-charge fixture, Guardiola didn’t just critique the tactics; he made it personal.
> “I see what is happening there at Anfield and, honestly, it makes me sick to my stomach,” Guardiola admitted, his voice uncharacteristically sharp. “If they don’t know how to use a generational talent like that, then they should stop being selfish and just give him to me.”
>
The outburst comes after Wirtz was again relegated to the bench for Liverpool’s goalless draw against Leeds, with Slot citing “hamstring protection” as the reason for the German’s limited minutes. Guardiola, however, sees it as a waste of historic proportions.
“In my system, he would be a Ballon d’Or winner within a year,” Pep continued. “But under Slot, he is being treated like a rotation player. You do not rotate a diamond; you build the museum around it.”
The £116m Conundrum
The friction stems from Arne Slot’s tactical overhaul at Liverpool. While the Dutchman led the Reds to a dominant Premier League title in 2025, the 2025/26 campaign has been defined by a “squad-first” mentality. With a frontline featuring Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and Mohamed Salah, Slot has frequently shuffled his deck, often at the expense of Wirtz’s rhythm.
| Player | Role under Slot (2025/26) | Status |
|—|—|—|
| Florian Wirtz | Advanced Playmaker / Tactical Sub | “Rotation” (per Guardiola) |
| Alexander Isak | Lead Striker | Core Starter |
| Dominik Szoboszlai | Hybrid Midfielder | Core Starter |
| Rio Ngumoha | Impact Winger | Rising Star |
Critics of Slot argue that the “Anfield Machine” has become too mechanical, stripping Wirtz of the creative freedom he enjoyed under Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen. Guardiola’s comments suggest that the Manchester City manager views the situation not as “load management,” but as “talent suppression.”
The Fallout: A New Era of Rivalry?
The reaction from the Liverpool camp has been one of stunned silence, though sources close to the AXA Training Centre suggest Slot is “fuming” at the public interference. Since the departure of Jürgen Klopp, the Guardiola-Liverpool rivalry had simmered into a respectful chess match. This “give him to me” comment has effectively poured gasoline on a dormant fire.
For City fans, the prospect is tantalizing. With Kevin De Bruyne entering the twilight of his career, the idea of Wirtz feeding Erling Haaland is the stuff of nightmares for the rest of Europe.
Whether this is a genuine transfer “come-and-get-me” plea or masterclass psychological warfare remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the next time these two giants meet on the touchline, the handshake will be colder than a Manchester winter.
About The Author
