The Deuce: I’m certainly no expert and am judging Wirtz on highlight reels which is dangerous…

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I’m certainly no expert and am judging Wirtz on highlight reels which is dangerous…

Posted by DT

on June 6, 2025, 20:11:59, in reply to "Frimpong and Salah together seems great to me, I think Wirtz replaces Szobo too, but why?"

…but to me I think he’s a pretty big offensive upgrade on Szoboslai, whose main value seemed to be in making runs that drew defenders as opposed to actually making things happen himself. I think Wirtz has an ability to break down defense with the ball at his feet that none of the midfielders for Liverpool have. His control and ability to pick through defense in tight spaces is really amazing. I think he can make them much more dangerous in possession, especially against settled defense as opposed to on a turnover or the counter.

On the downside, you’re giving up some energy and defensive effort switching out Szoboslai, which is why I was thinking Wirtz in the 9 made sense.

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Doesn't seem like a huge enough upgrade to be worth the huge outlay. Szoboszlai and Mac Allister with Jones as backup is pretty solid. Sure Wirtz is probably better than all of them, but not sure enough to make a huge difference in goals scored.

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But last year he was a straight up attacking player. He’s even less of a defender than Trent was. I think he’ll play some at right back, but splitting time with Bradley. And then also allowing Mo some rest as well. I’m hoping in 3 years Bradley is the right back and Frimpong is up as the right winger.

I think Wirtz might do a bit of everything. My first thought was he’d take the Firminho role or something similar, playing him instead of a true striker together with the 3 current midfielders. But there are a ton of reports about them showing interest in various strikers, which if true rules that out, at least as a primary setup. So I’m guessing he’s going to replace Szobo in the regular lineup. With some games where he plays the false 9, and others where he plays as a left winger.

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…I need to also give them credit for opening up the wallet this offseason and really setting the team up for success the next 3-4 years. They saw an opening with City taking a step back, so credit to them for being aggressive when it is called for.

I think Wirtz gives them another superstar to build around as Salah ages and (likely) leaves in a couple of years. And assuming they sign Kerkez as well, as seems likely, they will be in a great spot for next year. And even better if they can sell Nunez and use that money for another striker that will hopefully work out better.

I’m still not entirely sure how Frimpong will fit in with the squad, but I assume Slot knows how that will work. And he’s definitely got some exceptional attributes. The only nitpick is the lack of depth in central defense. Hopefully they can at least find a mid-priced rotation piece there the way they did with Endo at the 6 a couple of years ago.

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If I’m them, I throw the bag at Thomas Frank (Brentford).