Liverpool must now make uncomfortable Florian Wirtz decision despite Bournemouth win
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Florian Wirtz started in Liverpool's 1-0 win away to Andoni Iraola's former club, Bournemouth. (Image: Getty)Yet another meek display from Florian Wirtz summed up his Liverpool career despite their 1-0 win away to Bournemouth.
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More Info.Perhaps the Dutchman, who stormed to the title in his first season in England, knew what he was doing after all.But with Bradley Barcola joining the club and Cody Gakpo enjoying a strong start to the campaign, Wirtz hasn’t justified a place on the wing either.Wirtz had the worst pass accuracy of any player in the first half against Bournemouth.To begin the second, he was fortunate that a misplaced pass to Isak wasn’t punished when Ryan Christie fired wide.Fortunately for Liverpool, Isak broke the deadlock minutes later after some quick feet from Gakpo down the right flank saw the ball break to the Swede inside the box after Wirtz was challenged.Iraola’s Bournemouth were at their best when any member of their front six would burst into the box to finish off an electrifying attack.Although Wirtz was in the area for Isak’s goal, he does not get into those positions often enough.Dominik Szoboszlai does, but he has often been hamstrung by filling in at right-back.Florian Wirtz battling in midfield. (Image: Getty)But put the Hungarian in an advanced position alongside Ryan Gravenberch or Trey Nyoni and a transformed Alexis Mac Allister could thrive and provide a safety net for Isak, Gakpo and Barcola to attack at will.Taking Wirtz out of the firing line would be an uncomfortable decision, particularly after shelling out £116million just over a year ago for him, but a lethargic Liverpool may require such a change.Jamie Carragher’s audible sigh on Sky Sports commentary when the 23-year-old mis-kicked a clearance summed up Wirtz’s performance before he was hooked with 20 minutes remaining.An extended three-week international break will give Iraola plenty of time to pore over his squad, but when the Premier League returns, and Manchester City arrive at Anfield next, Wirtz could find himself sitting on the bench.