This is what I’m talking about. That’d be Szoboszlai’s role, who provides incessant running and pressing. Wirtz obviously can’t play like him, which forces Slot to modify the formation, tactics and the rest of the lineup, which in turn makes the team dysfunctional.
I don’t see a way for him to play behind the striker in yesterday’s system.
I should have added this to my previous post: I believe that Szoboszlai can play well in a more withdrawn role, i.e. next to Gravenberch, providing that running and energy from deeper role, while Wirtz gets more freedom in those pockets of space behind the striker.
At least, this is what I hope for… Otherwise, we’ve painted ourselves into a corner.
The fact that Kerkez was in the team of the year doesn’t assure me thinking long term. That doesn’t mean much, he’s at Liverpool now. New context, new season. Pascal Chimbonda (and similar random players) was in the team of the year once if I remember correctly (he’s the first random full back I could think of), so what? I was skeptical about our choices at full back this summer and I still am, even more so actually. But of course, I’m as open minded as one could be to see how this evolves.
Trust me, there isn’t a person in the world who wants to be proven wrong when they are predicting doom as much as I do…
Maybe Klopp’s era skewed my expectations so significantly that every winger has to be compared to Mane, every left back to prime Robbo etc. I just don’t remember any Liverpool signing struggling early with form and injuries and turning out to be a really good one eventually. Robbo and Fabinho weren’t setting the world alight when they first joined but they didn’t have injury issues and their worst wasn’t this bad.
I’m not giving up on anyone but they would have to break that tradition in order to become very good Liverpool players. I don’t think there’s a rival fan looking at our summer business without laughing their hearts out. One thing these new signings have over Robbo and Fabinho is that they joined under the pressure of performing for defending champions. That should cut them a bit more slack.
The problem isn’t that Szoboszlai can’t play elsewhere; he’s versatile enough. The problem is that playing him as an 8 or even as RB, causes other issues.
Either the midfield press gets weaker with Wirtz’s inclusion, or we are missing Szoboszlai’s influence if he’s playing as RB. There’s no answer, unless we change formation, which would raise questions about Salah.
That’s why Im hypothesizing that the summer transfers were the beginning implementation of a wider plan about post Salah Liverpool. Or we’ve bought Wirtz without having a real plan, which means that we’ve turned into Man Utd. Who knows.
Wirtz can also play off either sides, coming inside as a double #10, as he did against Frankfurt. I’d like us to try that box shape midfield structure a bit more.
I think that a lot analysts pointed out that Wirtz’ numbers when it comes to running and pressing were actually good. I don’t see him as lazy, unwilling or anything of the sort, more like lightweight and unaccustomed to the pace and strength of the league. I will believe that the midfield of Gravenberch, Szoboszlai and him can work - until it’s proven it can’t.
That said, he, Isak and Ekitike were definitely a part of that plan to replace Salah’s insane goal and assist output. Theoretically, they (and left wingers) could share it, so we don’t have to rely on a once-in-a-decade player. It’s not going well, though, but I still prefer that option to the other one you presented…
We did score 5 against Fankfurt without Mo
Accrington Stanley could have scored five against Frankfurt.
They struggled to score 2 against Gainsborough so I doubt it.
Accrington Stanley! Who are they?
Anyone notice the contrast between Arne praising the fans for singing his name and Jurgen’s constant requests for them to stop?
We could just spend our next £120m on cloning Szobo. Problem solved 
One for the old-timers there 
Really dont understand why people down play our result against Frankfurt
Because they basically gave up once they were behind.
Or maybe we played really well and didnt let back into the game?
Franfurt at the time were around 5th ot 6th in the league, they cant have that bad a team
They actually went 5 4 1 but we were firing then
Well Villa were a team in form with 5 wins in a row and now are apparently shit again.
I said this in the post game Villa thread, but I’ll say it here, as I think it is the big job that Slot has on his hands. A win against an in form Villa side was just the ticket. Clean sheet, hard fought, better from Macca, Salah, Szobo bossed it… lots to like.
He sorted out the immediate need, which was to get a performance and a win. Good.
Beyond that, the upper story I am watching is how Slot is able to usher in the new future. Apart from two attacking fullbacks, we have some very expensive attacking talent - Wirtz, Ekitike, Isak - that needs to come to the fore and start to boss it for us. I’m watching to see when and how that will happen.
In addition to that, we will need to give attention to finishing the team rebuild, especially in central defence, possibly another deep midfielder, and a Salah replacement.
Slot did so well in winning the league. Top marks. The thing I’m watching now is how he is going to build, shape, and deploy the new team that is starting to come into focus. It’s not there yet, but it will be the key to our future prospects.