Liverpool FINALLY replace Luis Diaz
The Colombian joined Bayern Munich and it was agreed that the club was better off for having let him go, since he desired a new project. In his place, Rio Ngumoha was promoted from the academy and Cody Gakpo got the nod as Arne Slot’s primary left-winger. The 29-year-old was not replaced.
Over the last few weeks a…
Liverpool FINALLY replace Luis Diaz
The Colombian joined Bayern Munich and it was agreed that the club was better off for having let him go, since he desired a new project. In his place, Rio Ngumoha was promoted from the academy and Cody Gakpo got the nod as Arne Slot’s primary left-winger. The 29-year-old was not replaced.
Over the last few weeks and months, it’s become apparent that Ngumoha isn’t ready to play as often as the fans might like to see him, and Gakpo’s monotonous routine has become all too predictable.
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When the Reds hosted Wolves on Saturday night, it became apparent that Slot has more options available to him at left-wing than he initially considered and there might have a permanent solution.
Wirtz at left-wing is a godsend
Attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz has been played in all sorts of different roles this season, and it’s been difficult to work out where he’s at his best, while ensuring the team has the perfect balance.
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Even though the scoreline was closer than a lot of fans would’ve liked to see, and the performance from the team as a whole was really underwhelming in the second half, the Reds got a deserved win.
One of the major reasons behind Liverpool’s success - even though it was a struggle at times against 20th place in the Premier League - was Wirtz’s positioning, which afforded him the freedom to thrive.
He played at left-wing with Milos Kerkez constantly making overlapping runs to overload Wolves’ defence and it was a glorious partnership which gave fans an insight into what Slot’s vision is.
Across his 89 minute performance, Wirtz scored his first goal as a Red, made three key passes, two long-balls, seven successful dribbles, two tackles, 11 duels won and had 104 touches on the ball.
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That’s an obscene workload for a winger, and yet the space he was able to exploit made it possible.
Gakpo is known for cutting inside rather than taking on his man, and at times Wirtz also did that, but it was noticeable that Liverpool had a slightly different dynamic on the left - which felt similar to Diaz.
A lot of the great things Wirtz accomplished wouldn’t have been possible without Kerkez, who himself made three tackles, won seven duels, had two successful dribbles and had 100 touches of the ball. Both players came into their own and it’s imperative that a partnership can blossom.
Quite rightly, Wirtz will capture the headlines and all of his star power was on show in front of the Anfield faithful. He wasn’t confined to the compact midfield areas, he adapted to the situation.
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The team needs to see him in this role more often. It won’t work against every team, and Gakpo will get his moments to shine in situations which are more suited to his skillset, but what Liverpool have been missing from Diaz’s departure has returned - to a degree - in the form of Wirtz’s creative genius.
That’s now four wins in a row and seven games unbeaten for the Reds. Long may the form continue.