Liverpool’s Wirtz Question Grows After Palace Defeat

Liverpool’s first loss of the season, a late 2-1 collapse at Crystal Palace, left more than just points behind at Selhurst Park. It sparked a wider debate about how Arne Slot is using Florian Wirtz, and whether one of Europe’s most celebrated young talents has yet found a place in the rhythm of Anfield.

Palace Capitalise on Errors

Palace were sharper, hungrier, and ruthless in punishing Liverpool’s lapses. Ismaila Sarr’s opener owed as much to Liverpool’s disorganisation as it did to Palace’s compact pressing under Oliver Glasner. Federico Chiesa’s equaliser briefly offered hope, but Eddie Nketiah’s last-gasp strike from a long throw-in sealed Liverpool’s fate.

Alisson Becker’s saves kept the scoreline respectable, yet vulnerabilities were evident elsewhere. Ibrahima Konaté looked uneasy, while Milos Kerkez’s misjudgement contributed directly to the decisive goal. But for all the defensive errors, it was the struggles further forward that commanded the most attention.

Wirtz Under Scrutiny

Florian Wirtz, deployed awkwardly on the left, endured another frustrating evening. The 22-year-old was withdrawn in the second half after failing to influence the game, his presence on the flank highlighting a structural imbalance in Liverpool’s attack.

Tony Cascarino, speaking on talkSPORT, voiced concerns that Wirtz’s early promise in red is fading.

Cascarino said:
“He played on the left yesterday, and they’re trying to shoehorn him into the team. I think he’s better as a no. 10, but he hasn’t played particularly well yet. We all know he’s a talent, but every week that goes by and he hasn’t found his feet or looks like he’s getting brighter… He’s actually gone backwards since the start of the season.”

He added that while Wirtz’s Community Shield display hinted at his ability, his Premier League adaptation has been patchy:
“It’s early days and I’m not going after him, but I’m concerned by his performance because it’s not been good.”

Selection Dilemma Ahead

With Chelsea up next, Slot faces a difficult call. Cascarino was blunt in his assessment:
“Well, not under current form. Because he’s not played well enough to actually be in the starting lineup, I don’t see that at all.”

European nights may still offer Wirtz the stage to thrive, but domestically the tempo appears to catch him. Resting him against Chelsea, restoring a more familiar midfield three, might provide both the team and the player some relief before the international break.

What is clear is that Liverpool invested in Wirtz to be more than a puzzle piece. Slot must now decide whether persistence or patience will unlock his true role at Anfield.