In 2025, Liverpool splashed over 100 million pounds for Florian Wirtz, making it the largest transfer in the club's history based on player status.
The German was touted as one of the top talents in the Bundesliga, yet he has struggled to find his groove at Anfield. Over the past year, Wirtz has rarely managed to string together even two decent performances in a row.
During his time at Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz thrived in a fluid 3-4-3 setup under Xabi Alonso. The forwards frequently switched positions, creating spaces for one another, which was a key aspect of Wirtz's game.
His ability to exploit space was what made Wirtz stand out, culminating in him being named Germany's best player in the 2024/25 season, overshadowing even Harry Kane.
However, the scenario at Liverpool is drastically different. The team's attacking play has appeared overly rigid, a continuation from last season's woes, now compounded under new manager Andoni Iraola.
Iraola insists on a 4-2-3-1 formation that stifles Wirtz's creativity, deploying him in a number 10 role devoid of freedom. The central striker is often tethered to the box, the wingers are stuck on the flanks, and the midfielders occupy the spaces that should be Wirtz's domain.
Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso is successfully implementing his preferred system at Chelsea, where players like Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, and Joao Pedro are finding the necessary room to flourish and deliver results consistently.
The challenges at Liverpool are clear: the club is acquiring top-tier players who simply do not fit into an inflexible tactical setup.
