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Liverpool fans saw a glimmer of hope that Florian Wirtz can still become a big success at Anfield on Wednesday as the German put in a better performance against LASK.
Wirtz stood out during an excellent first-half in Austria, but unless he can back it up with another effective display when Liverpool visit Brentford this weekend, the debate about his suitability will continue to rage.
It has certainly had fans hooked on TalkingPoints this week, where supporters have been discussing what Andoni Iraola should do with his underperforming No. 7. A whole range of ideas were put forward, with user rmooney0 claiming that Liverpool should change formation to a 4-3-1-2. Given the players the Reds have at their disposal, it just might work.
TalkingPoints
The Florian Wirtz debate rages on! If you were Andoni Iraola, what would you do with him and why? 🤔
Although Arne Slot moved Wirtz around a little in order to find out how best to use him – something he ultimately never achieved – Iraola has made it clear that he wants to play the German as a No. 10.
Nevertheless, in its current guise, the Liverpool formation, though allowing Wirtz to play as an orthodox attacking midfielder, is not working.
According to rmooney0, there is a better way to do this which involves playing three midfielders behind and two strikers ahead of Wirtz.
That would allow Iraola to pick Slot’s title-winning midfield of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, while also potentially using Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak in tandem when the French striker is back fit.
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rmooney0
Play 4/3/1/2 scobo mc gravenberch in mid field Wirtz behind 2 strikers . No body at Liverpool has a clue about tactics and strategy
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The one glaring issue here is that of what Liverpool do with the glut of wingers they have now accumulated, Bradley Barcola in particular. While that is a question for the future, perhaps Barcola could play as Isak’s main partner for the time being. He has been deployed as a No. 9 in the past and has done fairly well and, besides, he could drift to the left if the space was there, pushing Wirtz up higher through the middle.
This system would give Liverpool tactical flexibility in the forward line while also providing some more stability to cover for Wirtz’s defensive deficiencies. It is certainly worth looking at further.
Another TalkingPoints user, faraimartin.chiwandire, also believes that a change in approach, rather than taking Wirtz out of the team, is the way forward here.
“There is an excellent breakdown on why it is not working for him on YouTube,” they said. “The issue with Wirtz is that this team is not suited for him. His own teammates keep crowding him out, they do not offer him options to play the quick one-twos he wants to play to break into space and the only player we have tuned into his style is Ekitike.”
While a change in formation – or his teammates adapting their games – could be the silver bullet for getting more from Wirtz, as well as shoring up the Liverpool midfield, it comes too late for other supporters on TalkingPoints. Some have seemingly run out of patience with the Germany international, with user mrdelaneymiller urging Liverpool to cut their losses in 2027.
“Sell him. Get as much as possible,” they said. “It’s obviously not working and there is no sign of improvement. Just have to admit that the club got this one dead wrong. It’s going to make me sick watching him go on to be a superstar at another club, but I think that’s what is going to happen.”
keithsmyth376 agreed, declaring that AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit and Tijuana youngster Gabriel Mora could be two players to look at instead.
“Time for Wirtz to be dropped,” they said. “I’ve seen enough of him and he’s just not Liverpool standard. Sell him while we can still get a good price and sign Kees Smit from AZ Alkmaar and the young Mexican lad Mora from Tijuana. We’re getting two very good young possible generational talents for the price of one dud in Wirtz. I don’t care if he goes to Chelsea just get rid.”
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robfee1960
I dont know where the price tag comes from , he looked lost on sunday what position was he playing i have never seen him play a good game for lfc or germany , i keep expecting something to happen and nothing does , dont wanna say it but he has had over a season now so the best option is probably part ways ..
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If Liverpool sold Wirtz at the end of the current season they would surely lose plenty of the £116m they spent on him in 2025. However, with the market being what it is right now, they could surely still expect to recoup a very decent fee.
There have been rumblings that Bayern Munich could entertain a swap deal for Michael Olise, and if that really is on the table, then Liverpool have to seriously think about it.
Obviously, the best scenario here is for Wirtz to take his form from midweek into the game against Brentford on Saturday and really kick on from there. Even if he does, however, the debate among Liverpool supporters is likely to continue. Some think they have the answer, others are resigned to things not working out.
Either way, it is clear that solving the Wirtz question one way or another will be key to not only this season, but future Liverpool campaigns as well.
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