Liverpool legend urges Arne Slot to change Florian Wirtz's position after just three games

Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol has claimed Arne Slot should consider altering Florian Wirtz’s position after a slightly underwhelming start to the Premier League season.

The German played an instrumental role in Liverpool’s Community Shield performances against Crystal Palace but hasn’t had the same impact in the wins over Bournemouth and Newcastle. In the latter, Wirtz was particularly quiet, prompting some online criticism of his output so far.

No goals and no assists certainly wasn’t what Slot had hoped for, even if it seems a bit premature to be highlighting any perceived flaws in the 22-year-old’s displays. But Nicol, who won four titles win Liverpool during his playing days, thinks the Reds' wider team structure looks less stable with Wirtz in the line-up.

“He [Slot] may have to find a different spot for this guy,” the ex-right-back told ESPN.

“Right now, he isn’t getting on the ball, which is what he was brought in to do, but from a defensive point of view there is no question that Liverpool are struggling big time.

“So, he may have to move him out wide and use [Dominik] Szoboszlai, [Alexis] Mac Allister and [Ryan] Gravenberch as the midfield three, because right now the back four cannot defend as a unit.

“So they might have to change the way they play, move Wirtz out to a wide area in my opinion, but then at the same time, [Cody] Gakpo doesn’t deserve to be dropped.

“Are you going to drop Gakpo just because you’ve paid £100m for Florian Wirtz? It’s a tough decision.”

Regardless of what feels like slightly harsh criticism of Liverpool’s record signing, the team has certainly looked more defensively fragile in the early weeks of the new season.

Slot admitted his side needed to find balance, even if Newcastle managed fewer counter-attacks with Gravenberch back in the team on Monday.

Meanwhile, Alan Shearer also claimed the arrival of Wirtz has made Liverpool more unbalanced in the early weeks of the season.

“So to see them live [at St. James’ Park] without doubt, yeah, their rhythm is nowhere near what it was when they were playing really well last season,” the former England captain told the Rest is Football Podcast.

“They’re finding it difficult to get him into the game, they’re certainly more open.”

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