Florian Wirtz

[jimmyliver]

It’s difficult to see how you fit him in , against the lesser sides you can see two playing in midfield with wirtz ahead , unfortunately you would think against the top sides that won’t be enough, and then you get worried that only playing 2 up top with wirtz behind won’t be as effective as what we have seen with the three up top

[pob]

It’s difficult to see how you fit him in , against the lesser sides you can see two playing in midfield with wirtz ahead , unfortunately you would think against the top sides that won’t be enough, and then you get worried that only playing 2 up top with wirtz behind won’t be as effective as what we have seen with the three up top

Hopefully Slot has some sort of plan of how he wants to use him. I've no idea what it is mind, as he's looked completely lost so far, bar the odd decent moment. There's obviously quality there and he's going to need time to fully settle, but he needs to start finding his feet soon.

[eggy81]

Should have signed rodrygo and spent the rest on defence and midfield.

[Kev0909]

Don't understand it, main midfield 3 was fine and other areas needed improving

[miller0863]

Thought we needed a 6 not a 10 to be honest.

[Insidious]

There's obviously quality there and he's going to need time to fully settle, but he needs to start finding his feet soon.

It'll come.

We have played two tricky opponents, with a couple of the attacking players (Gakpo and Salah) being way below their best in terms of off-the-ball runs and we have had two matches where one of our first-choice mids has been missing (Grav v Bournemouth, Mac Allister v Newcastle) and at a time where we are bedding in new full-backs as well.

Early signs that he has a bit of on-field understanding with Ekitike and I anticipate good things once we have Ekitike, Mac Allister, Wirtz and Frimpong on the pitch simultaneously more often.

[CCTV]

It'll come.

We have played two tricky opponents, with a couple of the attacking players (Gakpo and Salah) being way below their best in terms of off-the-ball runs and we have had two matches where one of our first-choice mids has been missing (Grav v Bournemouth, Mac Allister v Newcastle) and at a time where we are bedding in new full-backs as well.

Early signs that he has a bit of on-field understanding with Ekitike and I anticipate good things once we have Ekitike, Mac Allister, Wirtz and Frimpong on the pitch simultaneously more often.

Good post, all about getting points early doors.

We beat Bournemouth 4-2 at Anfield this year, beat them 3-0 at Anfield last year.
We beat Newcastle 2-3 away this year,
drew 3-3 away last year.

By my count, same goal difference net from these 2 games (although 7-4 > 6-3 on goals scored)
&
2 more points than last year from these 2 games
=
The price of Wirtz settling

[faridtoxteth]

So if you remember how Bobby played in the classic Mane, Firmino, Salah trident, like a swiss army knife false nine. So just see it as Ekitike as Mane, and Wirtz as Firmino.

[Steveo]

Could try to do that BUT Wirtz is not really akin to Bobby - or what Bobby became for us. Physically or technically speaking. Very different.

Much more like Coutinho - which is why many are disappointed - admittedly at this very early stage - because thus far it’s been Coutinho minus the superb dribbling and the wicked shooting

[RedMagic]

As it currently stands, if Wirtz is going to be played in a central attacking position I think it would require two defensive midfielders being played behind him in order to both give him more space and freedom to roam, and to compensate for the gaps in-between our midfield and defence whenever we lose the ball in attacking areas of the pitch.

[Steveo]

Yep - I assume we will see Grav and Macca doing that and it may see the best of Wirtz - but means we sacrifice Szobozlai who was so key last season.

[sydenham red]

Wirtz is supposed to be capable of playing anywhere across the front line so id put our regular midfield 3 back in, front 3 - gakpo left,ekitike central and play Wirtz instead of salah, . Salah needs to be given a reality check, he's not effective enough atm.

[Insidious]

Wirtz is supposed to be capable of playing anywhere across the front line so id put our regular midfield 3 back in, front 3 - gakpo left,ekitike central and play Wirtz instead of salah, . Salah needs to be given a reality check, he's not effective enough atm.

I'd be reluctant to put Wirtz out on the right personally - he does his very best work in the left half-space.

If we "have" to play him in the front three, he'd really fare much better from the left, but given our use of a 4-3-3 and 4-2-2-2 in the past (I prefer not to call it a 4-2-4) he'd be better as the left 8/10 in a 4-3-3 or the left AM in the 2 behind the front strikers.

[miller0863]

So … not seen today’s game, how was our huge investment today?

[justme]

Lightweight and passive.. seems being pressed and not having time to react is not part of his make up