Liverpool Fans Deliver Florian Wirtz Verdict as 'New Role' Given by Arne Slot
Liverpool fans have come to an instant conclusion on Florian Wirtz after Arne Slot deployed him in a new role against Crystal Palace.
Wirtz was restored to the starting XI against Palace after being dropped for his side's Premier League clash versus Everton last weekend.
He had started Liverpool's previous four league games, including matches against Newcastle United and Arsenal.
But the 22-year-old, who cost Liverpool a whopping £116 million during the summer transfer window, has largely failed to impress since his big-money move from Bayer Leverkusen.
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In an effort to kick-start his Liverpool career, Slot fielded Wirtz in a slightly different position at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Alexis Mac Allister partnered Ryan Gravenberch in central midfield, with Dominik Szoboszlai playing higher up the pitch, while Wirtz seemed to occupy a spot on the left-wing, having predominately featured as a No.10.
But there appeared to be confusion among the Liverpool fans as Wirtz drifted inside, leaving his supposed spot on the left flank vacant despite Milos Kerkez's best efforts.
One X user wrote: "Who’s playing on the left? Because Wirtz isn’t staying there."
A second said: "The harsh reality is, we’re a better team without Wirtz at the moment."
A third added: "Slot needs to take off Wirtz and bring on Chiesa or Cody."
A fourth commented: "Anyway, what's our formation? Who is playing left wing, as Wirtz is in the middle all the time?"
Judging by the German playmaker's first-half performance, Slot could look to his bench to liven up his team in the second-half, with the likes of Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa on the bench.
Florian Wirtz opens up on his Liverpool form after speaking to Arne Slot
Wirtz has found life tough in England's top flight following his move from Germany.
He has yet to score or assist since his appearance in the Community Shield.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's game against Palace, Wirtz revealed that he had spoken to Slot about his struggles in the Premier League.
"I recently talked to the coach about it, and he suggested why I might not be able to get into the situations I normally get into," he told Sky Germany.
"That is, that I’m making the game fast with a dribble or a pass. He said it could be because we press a lot and I run a lot."
Wirtz added: "For example, the running stats: I’m always at the top there because I try to push hard and do what the coach asks.
"I need a lot of strength and energy for that, so when I have the ball I might be lacking a little bit.
"[He said] that it will simply come step by step, as I play more games, get fitter, be able to do things more easily, and then, when I have the ball, be fit enough and recovered enough to push hard."
Topics: Arne Slot, Football, Liverpool, Fan Reactions
Nasir Jabbar