Florian Wirtz hasn’t always been in Liverpool’s starting lineup in recent weeks, but after his strong performance against Real Madrid, he is also expected to feature in the top match at ManCity. The question remains: Where to put Wirtz?
Florian Wirtz has now played ten Premier League games, but the DFB player has still not managed to score a point. As a reminder, last season he scored ten goals and provided 14 assists in 31 Bundesliga appearances for Leverkusen, and in the Champions League he scored six goals and provided one assist in nine games. Exceptional statistics for an exceptional player who has so far been nothing more than a bit-part player at Liverpool.
Perhaps it’s because the position doesn’t suit him?
In last Tuesday’s Champions League match against Real Madrid (1-0), coach Arne Slot played him on the left wing – and Wirtz put in a convincing performance. The fact that he didn’t get an assist this time was more down to Dominik Szoboszlai, who failed to beat keeper Thibaut Courtois from close range in the 27th minute after a perfect pass from the 22-year-old. However, Wirtz initiated the chance from the right side.
Coach Arne Slot emphasized on Friday that he places more importance on the “how” than the “where.” “Florian can play in more than one position. He can play on the left side, which he almost always did under Xabi at Leverkusen in a 3-4-3 system, and in front of that as a number 10,” said the Dutchman. “We shouldn’t be so focused on whether he’s a 10, an 11 or an 8.” Rather, it’s about giving Wirtz positions “where he’s good. We’d like to use him centrally in and around the penalty area or a little further out on the wings so he can create the chances he’s already created for us.”
Slot never missed a duel in the past
In any case, the top match now offers Wirtz a new opportunity to make a decisive impact. With a win at the Etihad, Liverpool could even overtake Manchester City despite four league defeats. Slot is looking forward to a “very interesting game. When I was still in Holland and not working here, I always knew exactly when City were playing Liverpool. I can tell you: I was always 100 percent in front of my TV when this match was played. Similar to the Clasico.”
There are still a few question marks over Liverpool’s personnel. A decision on the injured Andy Robertson will be made on the day. Alexander Isak will be able to train with the Reds again today, Friday, for the first time after a three-week enforced break. Slot does not expect goalkeeper Alisson and former Leverkusen player Jeremie Frimpong to return until after the international break.