Liverpool's Midfield Dilemma: Addressing Florian Wirtz's Struggles

Liverpool faces a significant challenge with its £116 million midfield acquisition, Florian Wirtz, who is reportedly struggling to meet expectations. This situation contrasts with the club's past success in identifying bargain players who outperformed their price tags.

Sources suggest Wirtz may be making poor choices on the field, a stark departure from his previous form. Insiders believe that manager Andoni Iraola must build the team around Wirtz, similar to his role at Bayer Leverkusen where he was the primary offensive threat. At Leverkusen, Wirtz reportedly played with less self-consciousness, whereas his current struggles suggest he may be overthinking his game.

Tactical adjustments are being considered, including a potential midfield rejig. There have been signs that Wirtz is beginning to gel with teammate Alexander Isak, despite the latter's recent injury. Iraola has reportedly asked both players to operate in tandem. When key midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai were absent against LASK, Liverpool's midfield appeared more balanced, and Wirtz showed improved form. This suggests that the team's structure significantly impacts his performance.

Furthermore, former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is thought to hold a key role in Wirtz's development. It is believed that Klopp and Wirtz maintain regular contact, with the German manager reportedly sending messages after every Liverpool match. The style of play employed by Klopp with the German national team is considered beneficial for Wirtz and potentially transferable to his club performance. However, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has publicly called for Wirtz to be temporarily removed from the starting lineup.