Liverpool are gearing up for a high-stakes Premier League showdown against Manchester United this Sunday — but the build-up has been anything but smooth.

After suffering back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea before the international break, Arne Slot’s men are desperate to rediscover their rhythm. Yet, the headlines surrounding two of Liverpool’s attacking stars — Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah — are stirring quite the storm. 🌪️

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😬 Wirtz Under Fire — and Salah Caught in the Crossfire

In Germany, the media have come to Florian Wirtz’s defence after a slow start to life at Anfield, bizarrely claiming Mohamed Salah is part of the problem.

According to SportBILD, Wirtz has created several big chances since joining Liverpool, but his teammates’ missed opportunities — including a “mega chance” wasted by Salah against Chelsea — have unfairly made the 22-year-old look ineffective.

The outlet even suggested some English pundits, particularly Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney, are being overly critical of the young midfielder.

Former Bundesliga striker Jan Åge Fjørtoft joined the debate, joking that Wirtz is being blamed for everything wrong at Anfield — “the only thing missing,” he quipped, “is someone blaming him for The Beatles breaking up.” 🎸

Despite the scrutiny, Fjørtoft remains confident that Wirtz will shine long-term, calling him a “five-year project” and predicting that patience will eventually pay off.

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😔 Isak’s Nightmare Week with Sweden

Meanwhile, Alexander Isak endured a miserable international break with Sweden.

After a disappointing run of form, Isak was surprisingly handed the captain’s armband for their clash against Switzerland — only to be stripped of it in the next game after another underwhelming performance.

Sweden lost both matches (2–0 to Switzerland and 1–0 to Kosovo), leaving their World Cup qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

Speaking after the defeat, Isak admitted:

> “The responsibility lies with all of us. I demand more from myself first and foremost.”

To make matters worse, Sweden’s manager Jon Dahl Tomasson was sacked following the Kosovo loss, leaving the national team bottom of their group with just a single point.

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As Liverpool’s international stars return to Merseyside, Arne Slot will be hoping they can quickly shake off the criticism and refocus — because the clash against Manchester United could define their title defence. 🏆⚡