Join AI Pro

Florian Wirtz and the Rediscovery of Balance

After an excellent showing in midweek, where Florian Wirtz was able to create and roam freely from the left wing into inside positions, Liverpool finally saw what the German playmaker can truly bring to this evolving side. This was his best performance in a red shirt — not because of goals or assists, but because of the authority and rhythm he imposed on the game.

For Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz operated as a left-sided attacking midfielder who drifted between the lines, dictating tempo and creating overloads in central spaces. Against Real Madrid, that familiar pattern re-emerged. It was a tactical shift that mirrored the role that earned him his £100 million valuation — a reminder that elite talent often needs the right surroundings rather than reinvention.

By restoring him to a freer, hybrid position rather than confining him as a rigid number ten, Arne Slot finally unlocked the intelligence and intuition that had been subdued since his summer arrival. His link-up play with Andy Robertson was sharp, his spatial awareness was sublime, and his understanding with Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool a new attacking dimension — one that had been sorely lacking in recent months.

Rebalancing the Frontline and Midfield Core

The knock-on effect of this tactical recalibration was equally important. With Wirtz pulling defenders inside, the left channel opened for Robertson to advance, while the central attackers — particularly Hugo Ekitike and later Cody Gakpo — had greater space to manipulate.

Gakpo, so often predictable from wide areas, reminded everyone of his early Liverpool form when he shifted centrally from the bench. His cameo in that false nine role rekindled memories of his debut months under Jürgen Klopp — where subtle movement, link play, and composure in the box made him a key transitional figure. Variety in that final third, rather than repetition, is now critical if Liverpool is to continue their recent revival. The use of a front two could become more important as variety must thrive to overcome stubborn Premier League competition.

But it is the midfield three that truly anchors this system. The combination of Dominik Szoboszlai’s intensity, Alexis Mac Allister’s control, and Ryan Gravenberch’s dynamic range represents a functional balance that Liverpool has been missing. When Wirtz was forced into the middle earlier in the season, that equilibrium disappeared. The midfield became lighter, less aggressive, and too easy to bypass. Now, with the structure restored, the energy and purpose of Slot’s side have returned.

Moving forward, Curtis Jones should be seen as an intelligent rotational piece within this trio — a player who understands the rhythm of Slot’s system and can slot in without disrupting balance. However, to sustain this shape over a long campaign, Liverpool would be wise to seek further reinforcements in the middle. Players like Adam Wharton, Elliott Anderson, or Carlos Baleba would provide the variation and power required to keep this engine room operating at elite intensity.

Florian Wirtz may be the artist, but it is the power and protection behind him that allows the masterpiece to take shape. Liverpool’s success under Slot will depend on keeping that balance — not by overcomplicating roles, but by letting world-class players do what they do best.

Join AI Pro