Liverpool cannot seem to find a way to beat this Premier League slump.
The Reds have now lost their fourth consecutive game in the English top-flight as they lost 3-2 in the Gtech Community Stadium to Brentford in a performance which continued their struggles with long balls and throw-ins.
Arne Slot has struggled to figure out exactly how to set up his best team in any game this season, even when they have been winning games in other competitions.
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Liverpool’s physicality has been questioned, with pundits including Jamie Carragher highlighting this one struggle as an issue for Slot to solve before more teams decide to almost bully them.
Why the Dutchman has not been able to fix those areas of weakness has been down to the choices in the starting XI hindering their ability to compete man for man, and Florian Wirtz has been singled out for it.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool walks past Arne Slot manager / head coach of Liverpool after the Premier League match between Brentford and Liverpool at Gtech Community Stadium
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Jason McAteer urges Arne Slot to drop Florian Wirtz in physical games
The German joined the Reds in the summer for £116 million as part of the revamping of Slot’s squad; however, he has so far found it incredibly difficult to adapt to the pace, pressure, and strength of the league.
It’s something that has been talked over by pundits criticising the decision to start Wirtz in every game, and now Jason McAteer believes that Slot has to keep him on the bench against physical teams.
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The former Red explained that the 22-year-old, after watching the Brentford performance, cannot compete with other strong opposition because he is too easily beaten in a physical battle.
McAteer said: “Obviously, with Isak’s injury, it kind of opened the door or made it an easier decision to put Salah back in Ekitike up top, and Wirtz just moves into the centre. But again, for me, the big decision was, do you play Wirtz?
“Because I don’t think Wirtz can play in these really physical games yet, and I know he’s cost a lot of money. And I know it’s a brave decision for the manager to drop him two, three times on the spin, but sometimes you’re going to have to do it. Be brave.”
Florian Wirtz would benefit from stronger protection in midfield and defence
Solving the issue will be difficult because Wirtz is still new to the league, and while in training, he is clearly doing more strength training; it cannot be fixed overnight.
What he could potentially benefit from is the team becoming more defensively sound at the back and in the midfield.
When playing with two defensive midfielders, with one sticking towards the back, they will allow the star more freedom to roam up and down the pitch and not be drawn into battles where he will lose the ball.
As there has not been that assurance this season, it has meant every player is battling with players who know they are not as strong when pressured on the ball.
The defensive tweak will only be able to happen when stars like Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones are fit to start, which is another issue entirely.