Florian Wirtz and Liverpool’s Tactical Balancing Act
Liverpool’s season under Arne Slot has already been one for the history books. A Premier League title in his debut campaign raised expectations sky-high, yet two consecutive defeats to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray have tempered some of that early-season enthusiasm. As Saturday’s trip to Stamford Bridge against Chelsea looms, questions about squad balance and individual roles are surfacing.
Lewis Steele, speaking to Dave Davis for Anfield Index, captured the essence of one of Liverpool’s most pressing debates: the role of Florian Wirtz in Slot’s system.
Wirtz Between Promise and Frustration
Wirtz arrived at Anfield with enormous expectations, hailed as one of Europe’s brightest attacking midfielders. His early performances have been marked by fleeting brilliance, but doubts remain over his consistency. Steele summed it up: “I’m not sure what to think of it really because in some ways I think he has shown really nice glimpses but then sometimes I think it’s better to drop him.”
That uncertainty reflects how difficult it can be for creative players to adapt to the demands of the Premier League. Wirtz has shown technical flair, but as Steele put it, “he’s just struggling to impact games at the moment. He’s getting on the ball a lot, but I think he’s trying a bit too hard to force things and he’s losing the ball a lot.”
The numbers underline that view. Wirtz is involved in possession frequently, yet his turnovers and decision-making in the final third highlight a player still learning his craft in English football.
Adapting to Slot’s Demands
Slot’s Liverpool side relies heavily on energy, pressing and intelligent movement. That can expose players who are still adjusting physically. Steele noted: “But he’s also got to beef up to the Premier League because it’s a completely different ball game than the Bundesliga.”
The pre-season promise of a link-up between Wirtz and Mohamed Salah has not materialised. As Steele observed, “In pre-season, him and Salah seemed to be linking up really well but now all of a sudden it’s like they’ve never played a single second together before.”
Part of that disconnect lies with the instability ahead of Wirtz. The central striker role has rotated, with Cody Gakpo failing to provide the consistency required. Steele was blunt: “In fairness to him, the striker ahead of him has been changing and Cody Gakpo hasn’t done anything since the second game of the season.”
Finding the Right Role
The key question for Slot is whether to persist with Wirtz centrally or redeploy him to a role that eases the pressure. Steele offered a solution: “I’d be tempted to start him on the left and see what he can create from out wide and eventually when he’s bulked up a bit then he can come into the middle and run the show as he should.”
That suggestion carries weight. Wirtz’s creativity might flourish when given more space on the flank, where he can drive at defenders rather than shoulder the responsibility of pulling strings in the congested central areas.
Chelsea Clash a Defining Moment
Saturday’s encounter with Chelsea provides Slot with a chance to reset. Liverpool still sit top of the Premier League, two points clear, but tactical tweaks are required to avoid a downturn becoming a genuine slump. Whether Wirtz starts in his favoured central role, or experiments on the left, could be decisive.
Slot has already shown he can deliver success at Liverpool. His challenge now is to find the right balance between bedding in his new star and keeping results on track in a demanding title race.
