Arne Slot’s tactical shift earned Liverpool a 2-0 win over Aston Villa, yet the puzzle of how to best use star signing Florian Wirtz remains unsolved for the Reds.
According to reporting from the Liverpool Echo, a significant tactical question is now emerging for manager Arne Slot following the club’s vital 2-0 Premier League victory over Aston Villa.
The performance, which saw Liverpool successfully avoid a fifth consecutive league defeat, was achieved by Slot making a “clear decision to turn to the past” by relying on the established midfield unit from last season’s title triumph.
The victory, secured by a Mohamed Salah goal and a deflected Ryan Gravenberch effort, highlighted the instant understanding and cohesive structure provided by the restored midfield trio.
Gravenberch, returning to fitness, partnered with an in-form Alexis Mac Allister in the double pivot, while Dominik Szoboszlai was restored to the number 10 role and labelled the “game’s stellar performer” by the report. Mac Allister, specifically, delivered a “much-improved display” which was key to the instant success.
This reversion to last season’s winning formula has consequently brought the future role of summer signing Florian Wirtz into sharp focus. The £116 million attacking midfielder was “restricted to the last 15 or so minutes playing as a false nine” against Villa.
The Liverpool Echo report suggests this performance “served to underline the quandary with which Slot continues to grapple: How best to integrate Wirtz?”
While the German international is expected to feature in the upcoming Champions League fixture against Real Madrid due to the need for squad rotation, his expensive signing creates an undeniable selection dilemma for the manager when his established core is performing so effectively.
The full test of this tactical choice will come over the next week with the critical fixtures against Real Madrid and Manchester City looming.