Former Liverpool star Vladimir Smicer has urged new Reds boss Andoni Iraola to place Florian Wirtz at the heart of his plans, insisting the German must be played in his best position to fulfill his potential
Paul Gorst Liverpool FC correspondent
11:08, 29 Jun 2026
Andoni Iraola will need to get the best out of Florian Wirtz
Andoni Iraola will need to get the best out of Florian Wirtz(Image: Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has been urged to build a revamped Liverpool side around Florian Wirtz, according to 2005 Champions League victor Vladimir Smicer.
Wirtz arrived at Anfield 12 months ago following a deal worth up to £116 million ($153 million) with Bayer Leverkusen, but he endured a challenging debut campaign on Merseyside, with the German midfielder only able to demonstrate his abilities intermittently.
The No. 7 netted seven times and registered eight assists across all competitions, yet initially struggled to adjust to the intensity and physicality of English top-flight soccer, as performances declined under Arne Slot, who was fired at the end of May.
Smicer, who turned out 184 times for the Reds, believes Wirtz represents the type of talent who shouldn't be deployed in roles where his effectiveness is diminished.
The former Czech Republic international insists Iraola needs to identify the position that will unlock the German's full potential.
"I think the price tag and the transfer money from Leverkusen to Liverpool was big, and the pressure was on Wirtz with statistics about how much his goals and assists cost," Smicer told Casinostugan.
Wirtz struggled during his debut season at Liverpool
Wirtz struggled during his debut season at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
"But a player like him will be under pressure all the time. You have to perform for Liverpool, and now for Germany. They will expect a lot from him.
"Two years ago at the European Championship, expectations were not that high, but this time he's two years older and has more experience. They need to build the German team around him.
"At Leverkusen, the team was built for him, and he was a free player with wingers on the side and a striker. In Liverpool, we were trying to find his best position all season. He was playing right, left, as a striker, and behind the striker.
"If you buy a player for 130 million euros, you need to put him in his favorite position and build the team around him. If you buy Wirtz and play him as a left-winger, you throw that money away. You need to play him in his best position and then change other players."
Smicer added: "If you spend that kind of money on Alexander Isak or Florian Wirtz, you must play them in their best position. That's the hard thing.
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"If you play Wirtz as a winger, he will never give you as much. He will still perform, but he's not going to be at his best. So I hope for him and for Germany that they play him in his best position so he can perform.
"I think he was enjoying playing for Liverpool, but of course when he was a left-winger he was just trying to do the job. You don't feel the same confidence or feeling when playing in a different position.
"I just hope Andoni Iraola will find his position. I think his best position is behind the striker. Give him the freedom and it should work. If not, it's going to be tough."