Jamie Carragher says Florian Wirtz should work in the same position Kevin De Bruyne did at Manchester City if he is to be at his best for Liverpool.
The Ski Sports the pundit described Wirtz’s performance against West Ham at Super week as one of his best in the Premier League since joining the Reds this summer.
The German international lined up on the left for Liverpool – where he played for Bayer Leverkusen – instead of in a more central role in the Reds’ attacking midfield.
Carragher compared Wirtz’s potential impact to that of Premier League great De Bruyne, who played in a similar midfield position.
Speaking further Super week extra timeCarragher said: “I think that was the first sign of seeing, not just a player for Liverpool, but I said when he came in that he could be a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne as far as the Premier League is concerned – getting the ball, causing problems for the opposition.
“He didn’t lose possession often, he was very clever with the ball. But he had incisive passes – 42 out of 45, which is a lot for a player who needs to make key passes to try and get people in, so sometimes you take risks.”
“It’s about getting him into his role where he’s most comfortable. We can talk about the dunk effect for the other players, because I don’t think the squad is that well balanced.”
“We talked about Wirtz being a No.10, but he likes the left-sided channel. When you think of De Bruyne, you think of him on the inside right and that’s where Wirtz should play.”
“Sometimes I thought he would start on the right and come in from the side and he did that in a few games when he replaced Mo Salah, but this was better. That’s where they want him on the pitch, that’s where he’s at his best and that’s why today was his best performance for Liverpool so far in the Premier League.”
Another summer signing, Alexander Isak, scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool on Sunday at the London Stadium.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from West Ham v Liverpool in the Premier League
“The composition of the team is not right,” added Carragher. “The best way to explain it is from a Liverpool perspective, we’re delighted that Wirz now looks like the real deal and Isaac has scored his first goal.”
“But then how does Wirtz affect Dominik Shoboslai, who has been Liverpool’s best player this season? Then you have Isaac working, but how does that affect Ekitike, who has been Liverpool’s best player.
“Without Salah, Liverpool haven’t played with a proper right wing, which is fine because Soboslai can come in, but it’s not perfect for Joe Gomez to go forward.
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“So there is a small effect when players play well on other people. But right now, that will be the last thing on the manager’s mind.”
Liverpool face two more games this week. They play Sunderland on Wednesday before traveling to Leeds on Saturday, with both matches continuing live Ski Sports.