Florian Wirtz

[justme]

I think we needed a 10 since szoboszlai is considered a number 8 as well as Macca...both him and Mac Allister have been allowed to get forward at times. but never really played that far forward.. Problem with playing Wirtz up the pitch in the 10 role.. leaves you short in midfield for runners.. I don't think Wirtz is a number 10 in the traditional attacking midfield role. To me he only seems to fit a bobby position in the false 9 role. can't see him working well of the left.. to light weight..

I wouldnt have an issue of him playing the Firmino roll if you can have Ekitike on the left.. Salah on the right and szoboszlai in the 10 roll.. I dont think Wirtz can play in a 3 midfield. if he can. he needs to prove it more.

You'd have to drop Isak. but theres plenty of games for him as well.

[Steveo]

Would need a bigger frame to play - as Bobby did - in the Premier league imo

You can't talk about Klopp's Liverpool without talking about (in his prime) Bobby Firmino's unbelievable work rate. He wasn't just a striker, but the sodding engine that drove the system. While Salah and Mané grabbed the goals, it was Bobby who led the press. He'd run tirelessly, chasing down centre-backs and forcing them to cough up the ball high up the pitch, which was the trigger for our entire attack. When he dropped into the false nine, he didn't just link play - he was effectively an extra midfielder, dragging defenders out of position so Mo and Sadio could run riot.
His selflessness and constant defensive effort were the huge sacrifice that gave the team the platform to win everything. It's why Klopp called him the "engine" and why, even when he wasn't scoring, he was arguably the most important player on the pitch. No. 9 by number, but our ultimate No. 1 in terms of setting the relentless tone.

Back in 2018 I said - give me 3 prime Bobby’s and we beat all comers. Relentless. I may be way wrong here but I don’t see that in Florian, and even if it’s in there - it would need a Jurgen Klopp to bring it out.

I was over the moon we signed him - and am hugely underwhelmed so far… Hoping with a good degree of expectation that he comes good, but agree with others - not entirely sure why.l we went for him..

If he was to turn into a genuine match winner like Couts was - then you think of the burden it lifts from Salah - and the new front lads… It makes a kind of sense… But he just doesn’t look to be anywhere near that level - so far

[miller0863]

Pretty sure, everything we have won since Klopp arrived, we won without playing a 10

[Steveo]

True.. Got to the 'Big Ears Final..' and despite the loss our manager had this to say..

And he made good on his promise.. Winning our 6th European Cup.. Just missing out on the title - by a single point..despite posting 97... Then made good on the promise to win a title within for 4 years with 99..! None of that with a 10.

It's the template that he built.. and the one he left..

Perhaps the back room and Slot were thinking.. what IF we kept that...and this time DIDN'T have to lose our most creative player to fund it..? Perhaps this is the thinking behind the Wirtz signing.. And ir may work - in time - but as mentioned.. he will need to get to the levels we saw from Coutinho..and to my eye, he doesn't look to have anything like the confidence OR that 'One of the best in the world' level technique.

[Red October]

Watching Palace against us on Saturday and Newcastle yesterday you're just struck by the physicality of the premier league. It's such a tough league. There's no time. Wirtz seems shell-shocked. Let's hope he can up his game and not become another Keita God forbid. The work-rate required is immense and since the likes of Pep and Klopp came into the Premier League it's gone up. There's no room for passengers.

[jimmyliver]

Watching Palace against us on Saturday and Newcastle yesterday you're just struck by the physicality of the premier league. It's such a tough league. There's no time. Wirtz seems shell-shocked. Let's hope he can up his game and not become another Keita God forbid. The work-rate required is immense and since the likes of Pep and Klopp came into the Premier League it's gone up. There's no room for passengers.

It’s a good point mentioning Keita as when he came he was meant to be a complete all round midfielder who bossed everyone In the German league , he came he and struggled massively with the physicality and pace of it .

[jozza800]

It's absolutely chalk and cheese comparing Keita with Wirtz.

[justme]

Same with showing Coutinho as well. not at all like Wirtz

[Red October]

It's absolutely chalk and cheese comparing Keita with Wirtz.

The comparison is not of their styles but the fact they were both highly rated from Bundesliga. Keita was very lightweight on the ball too. For now Wirtz looks more promising already but you never know. There's no guarantees between different leagues.

[jozza800]

Same with showing Coutinho as well. not at all like Wirtz

I would say he's a lot closer to Couts than he is to Naby in terms of style, ability and position.

[jimmyliver]

Same with showing Coutinho as well. not at all like Wirtz

Really ? I would say they are literally made for a direct comparison

[justme]

that was the issue though wasnt it?? Coutinho never really had a position.. he was ok coming off the left. but that meant we had no natural width and when he played in a 3 we were lightweight in midfield.. he was a fine enough playey.But people remember his last few months when he played to get away from us..I agree with Miller we never really played with a number 10 under Jurgen. Wijnaldum/ Henderson and Fabhino were not attacking midfielders. we were very solid though..

Again i can't see how you get Wirtz in the 11 on the left or in a 3..Hes either a false 9 or hes on the bench..

[justme]

And i never compared Wirzt with Keita.. Keita was a Macca/Dom position 2/8s. he was mentally weak more than anything..

[jozza800]

that was the issue though wasnt it?? Coutinho never really had a position.. he was ok coming off the left. but that meant we had no natural width and when he played in a 3 we were lightweight in midfield.. he was a fine enough playey.But people remember his last few months when he played to get away from us..I agree with Miller we never really played with a number 10 under Jurgen. Wijnaldum/ Henderson and Fabhino were not attacking midfielders. we were very solid though..

Again i can't see how you get Wirtz in the 11 on the left or in a 3..Hes either a false 9 or hes on the bench..

Agreed 100%

If we're going to play 4231 then we need to play Wirtz as the 10 and have him be the main man. Don't think we can get away with playing him as an 8 n 1/2 in a midfield 3 as we do with Szobo.

[justme]

Agreed 100%

If we're going to play 4231 then we need to play Wirtz as the 10 and have him be the main man. Don't think we can get away with playing him as an 8 n 1/2 in a midfield 3 as we do with Szobo.

Yep indeed and that will allow Dom to get in behind to take shots.. Hes quick enough to cover midfield and attack and if we get caught in transition.. You have the cover of Macca and Grav..