EXCLUSIVE: Former Liverpool midfielder Vladimir Smicer on how the Reds can get more out of Florian Wirtz and why Andoni Iraola's side could soon properly click into gear
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool in action against Fulham.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool in action against Fulham.(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Former Liverpool midfielder Vladimir Smicer has insisted that things could very quickly click into place in attack under Andoni Iraola — though the Czech says Florian Wirtz must take a leaf out of Cody Gakpo's book for that to happen.
So far this season, Wirtz has just one assist and no goals to his name. Though he is doing a lot of running, much more was expected when he arrived from Bayer Leverkusen a year ago.
Alongside Wirtz and Gakpo, there are also the likes of Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola to call upon in forward areas. If all of them are playing well and on the same wavelength, there may be no better attacking quartet anywhere in the Premier League.
"They are all quality players," Smicer tells Liverpool.com. "It doesn’t matter what fees they paid for them. It’s unbelievable the prices you have to pay in the transfer market now.
"It’s become really crazy. But forget the fees. These players need to find the right chemistry and play for each other more. Wirtz is trying to do his best. Everyone expects more from him so it’s tough for Wirtz, but I think Gakpo has shown him what he must do.
"He has shown really good character because he was linked with many different clubs and there was a lot of talk about him leaving Liverpool. On the pitch, he has responded and is playing really well. He’s been effective. He’s made some quality passes. He is showing Wirtz what he must do too."
Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during a pre-season friendly match against Como
Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz were signed for big money last summer(Image: Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Last summer, it was Isak and Wirtz who were the big-money additions. A year on, Liverpool got a deal over the line for Barcola from PSG for a similar sum.
"Now Liverpool have added Barcola, it’s another new element for the other players and the team to figure out," Smicer says.
"Liverpool must get the best out of all their players, because the quality they have now, it will all move forward very quickly when they find that chemistry.
"It’s a nice problem for the coach to have, to get the best out of them. The midfield needs to release the ball quicker and pass the ball as fast as they can because every time you receive the ball a little bit later, even just a few seconds later, the defense will have closed you down and it makes it much harder for the offensive players.
"They want to get one-on-one and make a difference. Liverpool as a team are sometimes taking one touch too many, one touch more than they need.
"If they can play it a little bit faster and pass it forward more quickly, from one side to the other or playing those penetrating passes, that will help the forwards a little bit. Of course, it is difficult but that is my opinion."
If things do click into gear in attack for Liverpool, then things could be exciting. But Iraola still has work to do on the training field to ensure his players know exactly what he wants from them.
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"Top four is definitely one of the targets for Iraola this season because a club like Liverpool wants to play in the Champions League every year and compete with the very best," Smicer, speaking on behalf of Grosvenor Sport, adds.
"If you sign for Liverpool, you want to win trophies too, so any trophy, any competition you are in, you must go out to win it. That isn’t meant to be disrespectful to the other teams, but Liverpool must have these targets, and we are not alone.
"There’s another six or seven or eight clubs that go into every season with the same target in the Premier League, and Liverpool just have to compete.
"Iraola has been at Bournemouth and they enjoyed a lot of surprises to win games against top four teams and now it’s his turn to win those games for Liverpool, and the players have to be motivated to compete in all competitions, no matter which one. They have to go out there to win a trophy this season to win a trophy for the fans and themselves."