A simmering tension has emerged at Liverpool, sparked by criticism leveled at new signing Florian Wirtz and the tactical decisions of manager Arne Slot. The debate centers on where Wirtz best fits within the team, and whether his arrival has disrupted the delicate balance of Liverpool’s midfield.
Legendary Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger ignited the controversy, suggesting that Liverpool fundamentally altered its midfield structure to accommodate Wirtz, specifically removing Dominik Szoboszlai to create space. Wenger pointed to a shift away from a previously successful midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Szoboszlai, implying a detrimental change.
Wenger’s analysis highlighted a return to a more familiar midfield setup against Aston Villa, seemingly acknowledging a tactical retreat. He further observed that even when Wirtz did feature centrally against Real Madrid, he was deployed wide, a decision Wenger attributed to Slot’s reluctance to disrupt the established midfield dynamic.
Slot, however, firmly defended his approach and dismissed Wenger’s critique. He acknowledged the abundance of opinions surrounding football, drawing a pointed analogy to medical expertise – he wouldn’t advise a surgeon, and similarly, wouldn’t take unsolicited tactical advice.
The Liverpool manager emphasized the need for time and adaptation, both for Wirtz to integrate with his new teammates and for the team to learn to utilize his strengths. He expressed confidence that Wirtz would eventually flourish in the central midfield role, even if it doesn’t happen immediately.
Slot stressed his focus remains on collective team performance rather than individual scrutiny. He believes Liverpool possesses a wealth of midfield talent, but that unlocking its full potential requires consistent playing time and a growing understanding between the players.
Wirtz’s initial statistics haven’t silenced the critics; he’s yet to register a goal or assist in his first ten Premier League appearances. Despite this, Slot remains steadfast in his belief that Wirtz’s quality will shine through, either this season or in the future.
The upcoming clash against Manchester City looms large, adding further pressure to the situation. The performance of the midfield, and Wirtz’s role within it, will undoubtedly be under intense observation as Slot navigates this early-season challenge.
