The game has evolved from teams having individuals that are playmakers or so dependent on getting the build up phase going through one particular player.
We do need to get more control from our midfield in terms of passing, Slot already challenged Gravenberch near the end of last season, to improve his passing.
Of course, some players have special skills and do certain things better than others.
Trent was highly influential in our build up from the back and then also from mid range, when we got there (not only through him). His role changed multiple times under Klopp and then again under Slot.
Wirtz is a decisive player in the final third that can drop a little bit in midfield areas to create overloads, receive, etc. Put it simply, he’s not your classic playmaker from deep, he needs “playmaking” behind him, in order to be at his best in front of it, to connect the attack and also be on the very end of things.
We have styles and we have quality. Bradley, Frimpong or whoever else can be a top quality RB for Liverpool in their own ways. In terms of quality and proven options, so far there is nothing wrong saying that we’ve seen a downgrade from Trent.
And I don’t think anyone is asking the current lads to play in a style like Trent did, but obviously we need more availability, quality and consistency from any of them.
It’s up to the new lads and perhaps some other lads so grab that position.
In more than one phase of the game, we’ll have to show improvement; build up, pressing, defensive transition and set-pieces.
And that will be down to more than just “who is playing instead of Trent” or “what’s Wirtz doing” (and how the two is connected, a little bit but not a lot).
