Galatasaray vs Liverpool: How will Slot solve the Florian Wirtz dilemma?

Florian Wirtz's return from injury appeared to be purely positive news for Liverpool, yet it actually poses a tough problem for coach Arne Slot.

During Wirtz's absence, Liverpool developed new attacking options, most notably the impressive performances of young talent Rio Ngumoha. This forces Slot to carefully consider Wirtz's role before making a decision.

An indispensable link

When Liverpool spent £116 million to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, the club's leadership expected him to become the new creative hub at Anfield. However, the 22-year-old's start in the Premier League was far from smooth.

In his first 21 appearances for Liverpool, Wirtz failed to score any goals, putting him under considerable pressure. Over time, however, the German midfielder gradually adapted to the English football environment and began proving his worth.

Up to this point in the season, Wirtz has contributed 6 goals and 8 assists across all competitions. While these numbers might not be explosive compared to initial expectations, his influence on Liverpool's style of play is clearly evident.

Former Liverpool player Jermaine Pennant emphasized that Arne Slot's team looks completely different without Wirtz. According to Pennant, the German midfielder is the link between the midfield and the attack. In practice, whenever Wirtz is absent, Liverpool often struggles to create penetrating combinations. They may control possession well, but lack decisive passes to open up truly dangerous opportunities.

Conversely, when Wirtz is on the pitch, the connection between lines improves significantly. He is not only a creator but also regulates the tempo of attacks, helping Liverpool maintain balance between ball control and accelerating the pace of the game.

Ngumoha cannot be ignored

However, the paradox lies here: When Wirtz was absent, Liverpool discovered a promising new attacking option.

In the 3-1 victory over Wolves in the FA Cup fifth round last weekend, Ngumoha was the standout player on the field. At 17 years old, this winger provided Liverpool with something they lacked throughout the season: speed, directness, and the ability to create breakthroughs in one-on-one situations.

From the first half, Ngumoha constantly troubled Wolves' defense with daring dribbles. He completed the most successful dribbles for his team, won the most duels, and had the highest number of touches in the opponent's penalty area. Ngumoha didn't score directly, but he played a crucial role in many dangerous Liverpool attacking situations. When he left the pitch at minute 69 to be replaced by Wirtz, the young player received loud applause from the away supporters.

Manager Arne Slot praised his pupil after the match: A 17-year-old player with the ability to create one-on-one situations rarely seen in modern football. Ngumoha's emergence also made Liverpool more dynamic on the wings. In a context where Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah have shown signs of decline compared to last season—their current total goals being only 17 compared to 46 at the same point last season—this young talent's breakout brings a fresh breeze to the attack.

However, this forces Slot to face a difficult decision. If Wirtz returns to the starting lineup in his preferred position, Liverpool gains more creativity in the central area. But this could cause the team to lose explosiveness on the left wing if Ngumoha has to step aside.

Additionally, Liverpool possesses many quality midfield options like Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Curtis Jones. When Wirtz plays in the number 10 position, only two spots remain for these four players behind him.

Szoboszlai is almost guaranteed a spot due to his consistent form throughout the season. But the other three names each have their own strengths, forcing Slot to carefully calculate to ensure balance in the lineup.

Another option is to continue using Szoboszlai in the number 10 role while Wirtz comes off the bench, as in the match against Wolves. However, this approach could leave Liverpool lacking creative elements in the early stages of the match.

Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson noted that Wirtz is a player who needs "everything in the right place" to maximize his potential. When teammates move appropriately and create space, the German midfielder can become one of Europe's most dangerous creative players.

Conversely, if the system lacks rhythm or opponents stifle space, Wirtz can become ineffective even while fulfilling his tactical role.

Therefore, Slot's task is not just choosing whether to use Wirtz. More importantly, it's building a tactical system that allows the German midfielder to fully express his qualities.