It was the day Liverpool went from bad to Wirtz, the most complete Premier League performance yet from their £115m playmaker in the 2-0 win at West Ham United supporting the idea that Arne Slot can salvage the season – and revive his reign – by building a team around the young German.
A genuine No 10
Florian Wirtz was signed by Liverpool to play “between the lines” and orchestrate the beat of every game. Crucially, this was the first time he started in the No 10 position with Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister offering protection just behind him – Szoboszlai sacrificing his usual advanced position to occupy the right flank. Previously, using Wirtz in this zone left Liverpool looking unbalanced as he was one of the central midfield three. When he lost possession in games earlier this season, it was too easy for opponents to counter-attack as the familiar trio of last year was broken up. Equally, the connections between team-mates were previously non-existent.
The shape of the side was much better in the London Stadium, the interplay between Wirtz and the midfielders offering the first hints of developing relationships. It cannot be ignored that West Ham were accommodating opponents, allowing Wirtz to float and receive the ball with ease. Nevertheless, he looked more confident and effective, and should have collected a goal and at least one assist. When Liverpool were out of possession, they had more numbers surrounding the opposition to get it back. Interestingly, the headline figures surrounding Wirtz’s passes in the final third, and into the penalty area, were virtually identical to his season’s average, which his backers could use to suggest the quality has always been there. His wait for a Premier League assist also goes on. But that data does not reflect the improved speed, accuracy and physicality of his general display compared to other fixtures.
Occupying different spaces
Wirtz has a history in the Bundesliga and for his national team of adopting a starting position on the wing, drifting inside to attack from central positions. Slot has used him in this role already for Liverpool. However, that was not the plan when Liverpool bought him. The most significant change this weekend – certainly when compared to one of less effective games away to Crystal Palace earlier this season – is how often he popped up in and around the left side, linking well with Cody Gakpo and Milos Kerkez.
It is surely no coincidence that Sunday was also comfortably Kerkez’s most impressive display since joining Liverpool, with Wirtz often finding him as Liverpool threatened West Ham’s right-hand side. The significant increase in potency from the left will again be linked to the fact that – unlike in previous games – Wirtz did not have to worry so much about helping so much on the right because Szoboszlai and the recalled Joe Gomez solidified what has become a problematic area of the pitch. Overall, Wirtz touched the ball on 52 occasions, his heat map close to radioactive as he was willing to take possession everywhere.
Pass master
Wirtz’s passing accuracy is undoubtedly one of his biggest assets. Of his 44 passes at West Ham, only two were unsuccessful. This success rate of 95 per cent is in stark contrast with ineffective performances at Brentford and Crystal Palace earlier this season, when the figure was 76 per cent and 84 per cent, respectively. Wirtz also passed fewer times in those defeats, despite being on the pitch the same length or longer.
Crucially, the only unsuccessful passes on Sunday were attempted final balls into the penalty area, both close to creating goals. Against Brentford in October, Wirtz surrendered possession 11 times, five of which were in his own half. The marked contrast is obvious as there was also a greater forward momentum when Wirtz linked with colleagues this weekend. Naturally, a greater sample size will be required before declaring this a turning point. Wirtz has struggled against more combative opponents. Nevertheless, his effectiveness against a low block defence bodes well and having come up with a winning formula to get the most from his star signing on this occasion, Slot has a blueprint to work with in upcoming games. If Wirtz sustains a strong run of form from here, there is no doubt this performance will be regarded as the first pebble in the pond.
What does it mean for Mohamed Salah?
Slot deserves applause for the tactical tweak, which was braver before kick-off than it looked at full-time. The Dutch coach was asked on Thursday what changes he could make to get more from his underperforming players. It was a question he threw back to the room, asking what his perceived critics thought he could try that he had not already. No-one suggested leaving out Mohamed Salah was an obvious solution.
That is the kind of decision which can backfire terribly, especially given the pressure on Slot after consecutive three-goal defeats. Slot would be in a different world on Sunday night had Liverpool failed again with Salah benched for 90 minutes.
Now it has worked, the conundrum before Wednesday’s visit of Sunderland is whether to immediately recall the Egyptian. Will moving the in-form Szoboszlai from the disciplined role compromise Wirtz again? Omitting Salah once can be called necessary rotation. Doing so in successive games would send a tremor across the Liverpool world as the club accelerates the necessary transition from an era in which Salah has been the main man, to one in which Liverpool have bet on Wirtz being the symbol of another Anfield rebuild.