Florian Wirtz's lackluster run at Liverpool: Arne Slot's headache

This weekend, Liverpool face Crystal Palace in the Community Shield, and Arne Slot has a headache finding the ideal position for Florian Wirtz.

Faded friendship

Liverpool complete pre-season with one big question unanswered: Where will Florian Wirtz play in Arne Slot's side?

The 136 million euro contract (possibly up to 150 million) has yet to show much after 3 testing matches, and ahead of him is a harsh test called Crystal Palace at the Community Shield this weekend (9pm on August 10).

Wirtz has not shown much in the friendly matches. Photo: Imago

In the last 3 friendly matches – lost to Milan (2-4), won Yokohama F. Marinos (3-1) and Athletic Bilbao (3-2) – Wirtz's performance remains one of the biggest question marks.

Against Bilbao, Liverpool's first home game this season, Slot deployed Wirtz as an attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 formation – a role that is considered closest to his strengths when he was at Bayer Leverkusen.

Instead of shining, the German star appeared lost. He left almost no mark on the team's play, could not connect with the wingers Mohamed Salah - Cody Gakpo, and did not make any significant contributions in attacking situations or counter-pressing.

According to post-match statistics, Wirtz was the lowest-rated player among the starters of both teams. He completed only 80% of his passes, completed 1 of his 6 crosses, failed in 4 dribble attempts, and won 1 of his 5 challenges.

This data makes Liverpool fans worried when there is an official title match ahead, and the opening day of the Premier League is not far away.

Wirtz was the soul of Leverkusen's play two seasons ago. However, in the red shirt of Liverpool, he is like a puzzle piece that has not found a suitable position.

Wirtz only played well against Yokohama, who were weaker in every aspect. Photo: LFC

Finding a position for Wirtz

In fact, in all three recent friendly matches, Arne Slot tested Wirtz in different positions. Against Milan, he was pushed up to play as a “false 9”, often the one pressing the highest.

But playing with his back to goal and not having many touches of the ball made him almost "disappear" in the 2-4 defeat.

Against Yokohama, Wirtz scored while playing close to his familiar attacking role, but that was against a clearly inferior opponent.

The recent victory over Bilbao, in the closest match conditions to real life, revealed the German star's problems.

When Liverpool play with two clear wingers in Salah and Gakpo, Wirtz does not have the space to drift wide like he did at Leverkusen, nor the freedom to change the game like he did under Xabi Alonso.

Slot currently has too many “number 10s” in his hands – from Szoboszlai, Mac Allister to Harvey Elliot.

If he still wants to maintain a clear wing structure with fast players like Gakpo or Hugo Ekitike, Slot will have to eliminate one of the three central midfielders to give space to Wirtz.

Helping Wirtz integrate is not a simple task for Slot. Photo: Imago

In this case, it would be risky as the balance in the midfield could be broken. The trio Gravenberch – Mac Allister – Szoboszlai is playing stably and has a certain understanding.

Slot will have to decide: either adjust the system for Wirtz, or continue betting and wait for him to adapt himself.

The Community Shield on August 10 will not only be a warm-up for the new season, but also an important milestone in shaping Florian Wirtz's true role in Liverpool's shirt.

Crystal Palace is not a very strong opponent, but in an official match, all eyes will be on the performance of the German rookie.

Wirtz needs to prove he is worth the record transfer fee. For his part, Slot must quickly find a suitable solution, in Liverpool's historic transfer period.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/florian-wirtz-nhat-nhoa-o-liverpool-arne-slot-dau-dau-2429230.html