Slot made four changes from the side that drew 3-3 at Leeds on Saturday evening, with Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson, Alexis Mac Allister and Alexander Isak all coming on.
Conor Bradley and Milos Kerkez were left out, along with Wirtz and the injured Cody Gakpo, and with Isak starting for only the second time alongside Hugo Ekitike, there was speculation about how Liverpool would develop.
Speaking to Amazon Prime ahead of kick-off, Slot revealed it would be a two-striker system, with Dominik Szoboszlai expected to start at number 10 in a diamond midfield.
Why Wirtz and Bradley are on the bench against Inter
The head coach also explained why Wirtz was dropped to the bench as the German’s playing time was managed following a busy schedule on his return from injury.
“The idea is that at the moment I have thirteen outfield players with Premier League or Champions League experience available,” he said of his four substitutions.
“Conor Bradley came back from injury, played for the first time on Saturday, two days after the game you could ask yourself the question: isn’t it too big of a risk to play him again?
“Florian Wirtz came back with an injury from the German national team, had to play three games in seven days, now the fourth in ten days is coming.
“So the idea behind the formation is that there are not that many available. If you don’t have any wingers available, apart from Rio, who is still very young, I think it makes the most sense to play with two number 9s.”
Isak and Ekitike’s only other start together was the 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in October, but an injury forced the Swede to leave at half-time.
Slot’s expectations for Isak and Ekitike up front
Slot will therefore be hoping for more from his two signings in the summer as they build a new relationship without Wirtz, Gakpo or Mohamed Salah on the pitch.
“It’s not the first time we’ve played this system, maybe we did something similar against Leeds to what we’re doing tonight,” he continued.
“But for them, after the match against Frankfurt, it is the first time they play together.
“Good players, but I think it’s normal that they have to find a certain connection. The more they play together, the more they will connect.”
#Slot #confirms #Liverpool #formation #Inter #explains #role #Wirtz #bank