Watching Florian Wirtz for Germany against Curaçao left me with one overwhelming thought:
Why didn’t Liverpool use him like this?
The German international was one of the standout performers in Germany’s 7-1 victory, creating chances, drifting into dangerous positions and looking completely comfortable throughout the match.
It was everything Liverpool supporters hoped they would see when he arrived at Anfield.
Unfortunately, far too often last season, we didn’t.
Wirtz finished the match with:
● 1 assist
● 4 chances created
● 9 passes into the final third
● 8 ball recoveries
● 39 touches in the attacking third
Those are the statistics of a player constantly influencing the game.
More importantly, they are the statistics of a player being used correctly.
What stood out most was where he was playing.
For Germany, Wirtz started from the left but was given the freedom to drift inside, combine with team-mates and attack dangerous areas.
He looked comfortable.
He looked confident.
Most importantly, he looked happy.
There was none of the hesitation that often appeared during his first season at Liverpool.
Under Arne Slot, Wirtz often looked like a player searching for his role.
At different points he was used:
● As a central attacking midfielder
● As a wide player
● In deeper positions
● Behind the striker
The constant movement between roles never seemed to allow him to settle.
Instead of building the team around one of the most gifted young footballers in the world, Liverpool often appeared to be asking him to adapt to a system that didn’t suit him.
Against Curaçao, Germany did the opposite.
They built situations that allowed Wirtz to play naturally.
The result was a player constantly involved in attacking moves, constantly creating opportunities and constantly causing problems for the opposition.
Yes, Curaçao are not among the elite nations in world football.
But talent is talent.
And Wirtz looked every bit the elite footballer Liverpool supporters know he can be.
This is why I believe one of Andoni Iraola’s biggest tasks is finding the correct role for Wirtz.
Liverpool did not spend huge money on him to become another cog in the machine.
They signed him because he has the ability to become the creative heartbeat of the team.
The player everything flows through.
The player capable of deciding matches.
The player capable of carrying Liverpool into a new era.
The encouraging part is that Iraola’s football may suit him perfectly.
At Bournemouth, Iraola built systems that allowed attacking players freedom to express themselves while maintaining intensity and structure around them.
If he can create similar conditions for Wirtz, Liverpool supporters may finally see the player they thought they were signing.
Germany’s victory may only have been one World Cup group game.
But for me it highlighted something important.
Florian Wirtz is not the problem.
Liverpool’s inability to consistently use him in the right way was.
And if Iraola can learn from what Germany showed against Curaçao, Liverpool may finally unlock one of the most talented players in world football.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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