Liverpool are finally starting to see some pay-off from their summer spending spree as their new signings continue to find their feet.
Of the 11 players who started against Wolves on Saturday, four of them were summer arrivals, highlighting the size of the job Arne Slot has had integrating them all.
The win over Wolves belonged to Florian Wirtz, who finally scored his first goal for Liverpool. But he was not the only new signing to catch the eye.
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Who was Liverpool’s best player during the 2-1 win over Wolves?
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 2-0 during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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Jeremie Frimpong deserves a mention for opening the game up with a lovely assist for Ryan Gravenberch, but his overall performance was eclipsed by fellow full-back Milos Kerkez.
Kerkez has been steadily improving after a tough start as Liverpool’s regular left-back and he continued that with a dogged display against Wolves. The Hungarian’s better form has also notably arrived with Cody Gakpo dropping out of the team ahead of him at left wing. As Wayne Rooney has outlined, this is not a coincidence.
Florian Wirtz strikes up Milos Kerkez partnership
Gakpo’s insistence on cutting in from the left onto his right foot has definitely hindered Kerkez’s effectiveness in attack this season. Even Slot himself has publicly alluded to this.
But with the Dutchman out of the side over the past three Premier League matches, Kerkez has really arrived at the party.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 2-0 during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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Instead of Gakpo he has been playing behind Wirtz, who has nominally taken up position on the left of the Liverpool attack, with licence to drift infield.
As Rooney outlined for BBC Match of the Day on Saturday night, Kerkez and Wirtz have struck up an understanding which has already begun to bear fruit for Liverpool.
“He was really impressive today, he took up some great positions,” the Man United legend said on Wirtz. “He was going out wide, he was coming into the middle of the pitch and he’s starting to get a really good understanding with Kerkez.
What are your thoughts on Milos Kerkez’s recent form?
Is he playing better because Cody Gakpo has been missing…
Mateus Mane of Wolves runs at Milos Kerkez with the ball during Wolverhampton Wanderers' Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Jan Kruger).
Photo Credit: Jan Kruger/Getty Images
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“Just some of the positions he was taking up he was causing Wolves problems all game. The understanding he’s getting with Kerkez is really good.”
Liverpool must stick with Kerkez and Wirtz
After Gakpo returned for the final minutes of Saturday’s match, Slot will no doubt be tempted to start him for the visit of Leeds of Thursday.
But while it is a boost to have the 26-year-old available once again, the Liverpool head coach must resist the urge to throw his countryman straight back in.
Pass Accuracy Chances Created Successful Dribbles Tackles Duels Won
Milos Kerkez vs Wolves 95% 1 2/3 4 7/14
Clearly, Gakpo’s absence is not a reason – certainly not a sole reason – for Liverpool’s improvement in recent weeks. It should also be said that overall performances have still been patchy regardless of a pick-up in results.
But it cannot be ignored that Kerkez has started to look like the player Liverpool thought they were buying while he has been away. Wirtz on the left is arguably not a permanent solution for Slot, but his link-up with the left-back is obviously working and that should be given the chance to grow.
Given the lack of options and the quickness of fixtures, it feels more likely that Gakpo will come back to start against Leeds. But if Slot wants to foster working on-pitch relationships, he will give that idea some serious, serious thought.
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