Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has revealed how he plans to use Reds star Florian Wirtz moving forward, as he looks to get the best out of him.
Wirtz had a relatively underwhelming first season at Anfield, certainly not justifying his £116m price tag, but he was admittedly playing in a struggling team under Arne Slot.
There is real hope that Iraola will click with the German and ensure he matches the hype, and he has told reporters [via This Is Anfield] that he plans to use him in a central role:
“We know what he can give us, he’s also suited to our game model. I see him probably more that position behind the striker. We know that he was played more on the left sometimes but we are going to start working with in that position behind the striker.
“He is quite complete as a player. We want to try to add more things to what he already has which is very good. He is training in a good place mentally.”
Florian Wirtz must fire in his second season at Liverpool
Wirtz is an incredible talent with so much natural ability and football intelligence, with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard making it clear that he is a huge admirer:
“In terms of this kid’s technical level, it’s world-class. He’s got the world at his feet. He’s so exciting to watch. In tight little areas his first touch is immaculate. His awareness of what’s around him is superb, he’s always looking to create goals, he’s always trying to get on the scoresheet as well. For me, I always watch players and think to myself: ‘Would I like to play with him?’. I would have loved to play with this kid.”
Wirtz should benefit by playing under a more attack-minded manager in Iraola – one who will use him correctly as a No.10 – as well as having more pace around him out wide, which was sorely lacking last season.
He wasn’t blameless in his first year at Liverpool, and needs to grab more games by the scruff of the neck and improve his finishing, but it is easy to see him being one of the best players in the Premier League in 2026/27.