An insider claims that Liverpool could look to use Florian Wirtz in a deeper role as he ages to take advantage of his passing and creative instincts.
The 23-year-old is not blessed with unmatched pace and will only get slower as he approaches his twilight years. It’s not a factor now, but he will need to adapt in the future.
We’ve seen this happen with the likes of Luka Modric, Thiago Alcantara, David Silva and more.
Reporting on X, insider ITK Space, who broke a lot of exclusive news on the Bradley Barcola file, says that Liverpool and Wirtz are in agreement of the need for an eventual long-term position change.
The report reads: “In discussions with newly appointed head coach Andoni Iraola, a long-term vision was laid out to Florian Wirtz in which, as the years pass, Florian could gradually operate deeper and deeper on the pitch.
“Iraola sees similarities to the development of Luka Modri? and Thiago Alcântara, who initially operated much closer to a traditional number ten before evolving into deeper midfielders capable of controlling games from the heart of the pitch.”
In discussions with newly appointed head coach Andoni Iraola, a long-term vision was laid out to Florian Wirtz in which, as the years pass, Florian could gradually operate deeper and deeper on the pitch.
Iraola sees similarities to the development of Luka Modri? and Thiago… pic.twitter.com/HDI81IUyQU
— Space | ™ (@ITKSpace) September 11, 2026
The report goes on to say that Wirtz is receptive to the idea and that those around him believe the position change would have other benefits aside from sporting reasons, including a decrease in scrutiny over goals and assists.
ITK Space continued: “Florian would not be hesitant about such an evolution, as he believes his press resistance, ability to initiate attacks through progressive passing and instinct for putting teammates into advantageous positions could become even more influential from deeper areas.
“Interestingly, those closest to Florian, including his father and agent Hans-Joachim Wirtz, also believe that moving deeper could gradually remove him from the public pressure of constantly being measured through goals and assists, numbers that have never truly defined his game to begin with.”
Wirtz is doing better than he gets credit for
Is it true that Wirtz loses the ball a lot? Yes.
Is it true that Wirtz provided 7 goals and 10 assists last season? Yes.
Is it true that Andoni Iraola is well-suited to developing a player like Wirtz? Yes.
Is it true that Wirtz is one of the hardest-working players at the club? Yes.
Is it true that it’s fair to expect more from Wirtz? Also yes.
There is a lot that many of us wish Wirtz would do differently, but he’s not your average player. Where he lacks in certain areas, he excels in others.
The fact remains that Wirtz often outruns his teammates and is clearly trying his best. It’s always harder for playmakers to succeed in the Premier League, where time on the ball is at a premium. I’ve seen major improvements in his game since the start of last season.
Arne Slot left damaging effects on the current Liverpool squad, which Iraola will need time to correct. But in the Spaniard’s opening four games for the Reds, it has been improvement after improvement.
After consistently being outrun as a team last season, Liverpool did something they failed to do in the entire Champions League run last season: they ranked as the team with the highest work rate across several metrics, including the most high-intensity pressures by any team.
204 – Liverpool made 204 high-intensity pressures in the opposition half against Atlético Madrid.
That was the most by any team on MD1 of this season's UEFA Champions League.
Identity. pic.twitter.com/yK9PYRE4du
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 11, 2026
Liverpool and Wirtz will continue to improve under Iraola. The Spaniard is very similar to Jurgen Klopp by virtue of the fact that he is desperate for his players to buy into his philosophy. This takes time. But when it happens, the football that Liverpool will play will be incredible.
#LFC vs Atletico Madrid
Distance covered
Alexis 8.5 km
Isak 8.8 km ?
Virgil 8.9 km
Araujo 9.4 km
Jacquet 9.6 km
Kerkez 9.8 km
Szobo 10.5 km
Florian Wirtz 11.5 km?
— Moby (@Mobyhaque1) September 9, 2026
We’re already seeing signs of these improvements.
Against Newcastle, Liverpool were second to the ball on far too many occasions.
Against Atletico, Liverpool were hounding and harrying an Atletico Madrid team with a lot more talent and certainly more continuity than a Newcastle team that has been and is going through a lot of change.