Liverpool’s summer transfer strategy represented a sharp departure from recent quiet windows, culminating in a headline-grabbing £116m move for Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. The Premier League champions invested heavily to reshape their creative engine, with high-profile additions proving influential in a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace that showcased a return to fluid counter-attacking football, followed by another crucial win against West Ham. Yet despite positive team results, Wirtz’s transition to English football has sparked an intense tactical debate surrounding his fit within the squad.
The German playmaker has publicly acknowledged the steep learning curve, admitting that the physical intensity of the Premier League was more than he had anticipated upon his arrival. Within Arne Slot’s system, concerns have emerged regarding Wirtz’s current inability to dominate matches from the central attacking midfield position. Rather than breaking lines with penetrative passes or contributing defensive pressing, Wirtz has at times appeared passive, settling for basic lateral distribution to the left wing. The contrast has been stark enough that opposing center-forwards like Alexander Isak have managed to register more touches in central creative zones than Liverpool’s primary number ten.
This lack of central dynamism has elevated discussions around alternative tactical options within Slot’s frontline. Emerging options like Victor Muñoz and Lewis Koumas have displayed directness and energy when given opportunities, prompting calls to re-evaluate the primary creative position. For many observers, Dominik Szoboszlai represents a far more natural candidate to operate as the designated number ten, bringing direct running, distance shooting, and the ability to execute decisive passes during congested phases of play.
Reconfiguring the central area could allow Szoboszlai to push forward into a pure attacking role, anchored by a deeper defensive midfield base featuring Alexis Mac Allister alongside Ryan Gravenberch. With Liverpool and Arsenal dominating early title conversations, Slot faces a decisive moment regarding his marquee signing: double down on integrating Wirtz through his adaptation period or shift toward a more aggressive midfield structure to sustain momentum.
