Florian Wirtz Puts Arne Slot in a Tough Spot

As they prepare to face Brentford on Saturday evening, Liverpool, currently fourth in the Premier League, aims to bounce back from a disappointing run of four consecutive defeats across all competitions. Despite recent struggles, they showcased their competitiveness by defeating Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 last Wednesday at Deutsche Bank Park. The team, led by key players like Hugo Ekitike and Dominik Szoboszlai, was further bolstered by one of their major summer signings, Florian Wirtz. After facing criticism since his transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz delivered a standout performance in his first real showing for Liverpool.

Before this match, Wirtz had struggled to make an impact, contributing only one assist in eleven matches. However, he shone brightly this time, playing as a right winger with Mohamed Salah starting on the bench. Wirtz was instrumental in their victory, recovering seven balls defensively and creating two goals for Gakpo and Szoboszlai. “I know I can do much more. I think the second half was really good. I’m happy with the win, we played really well as a team in the second half and I was finally involved in a goal,” he said after the match.

Wirtz Shines, Salah Frustrates

English media also expressed relief regarding Liverpool’s performance. “Playing on the right but given the freedom to move inside, the German had a significant influence on Liverpool’s control in the first half and seemed to enjoy himself after the break,” reported Liverpool Echo about Wirtz, who joined the club for €136 million last summer. His role on the right wing likely contributed to his revitalized form. Preferred over regular starter Salah, Wirtz impressed and could have scored himself at the end if Salah hadn’t been too selfish with the ball.

“Slot decided to pair Isak and Ekitike together for the first time, with Gakpo on the left and Wirtz on the right. This fluid system allowed Wirtz to be more involved when Liverpool had possession. It was wise to leave Salah on the bench, especially as Liverpool’s attack thrived. He nearly scored late in the game but was prevented from passing to the better-placed Wirtz,” analyzed The Athletic. Whether this tactical adjustment will be revisited remains to be seen, but Wirtz’s trial as a right winger could very well continue in the upcoming weeks, potentially starting tonight at Brentford Community Stadium…