Ex-Liverpool star Danny Murphy has warned Andoni Iraola he “cannot continue” with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, calling for changes to Liverpool’s attack this season
Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during a pre-season friendly match against Como
Danny Murphy says Andoni Iraola 'cannot continue' with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz(Image: Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has warned Andoni Iraola that Bournemouth “cannot continue” with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz in their current roles,
Wirtz endured another difficult outing against Bournemouth last weekend and has faced criticism for his performances since joining Liverpool. The Germany international has registered just one assist and no goals in six appearances this season.
Operating in a front two alongside Wirtz, Isak has made a far bigger impact in front of goal, scoring four times in five Premier League appearances. The Sweden international has offered little else so far, but his goalscoring return is helping to mask those shortcomings.
Murphy has warned that Wirtz could be dropped by Liverpool boss Iraola if his performances do not improve. Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Liverpool midfielder said Wirtz is “struggling” and has failed to adapt to the physical demands of the Premier League. Murphy also questioned the Germany international’s ability to contribute defensively.
"If he carries on playing the way he is, he will come out of the team," Murphy warned. "He is struggling at the moment. He started the season OK but that isn't good enough. He struggles physically and I thought he would work on that in pre-season.
"But he still gets pushed off the ball too easily and without the ball, he isn't great. His running stats are good and he tries to press but he isn't physically capable. He can't adapt to the physicality of the Premier League."
Murphy also questioned whether Wirtz can fit into Iraola’s preferred style of play at Liverpool, particularly alongside Isak in attack. He argued that the pair could prevent Iraola from implementing an aggressive pressing system, leaving the manager with a choice between changing his tactics or altering his personnel.
He added: "It can take time for any player to adapt to a new style, like this Liverpool team is with Iraola. But the front two of Isak and Wirtz will not allow Iraola to play the way he wants. That cannot continue.
"You cannot be an aggressive pressing team with those two. He will have to play a different way or change the personnel. He has given him every opportunity but I am not sure he is suited to the Premier League.
Jamie Carragher also says that Wirtz should be taken out of Iraola's starting XI from now on. "That was one of the poorest I’ve ever seen him in a Liverpool shirt," Carragher said on Sky Sports. "I’ve been critical of the fact that he hasn’t got the numbers, but normally when you watch Wirtz, he’s neat and tidy.
"He keeps possession and when you watch him, there’s things that you like. You know, he'll get out of a tight situation where you’re normally expecting your player to lose the ball. But the reason I worry is, I don’t think Florian Wirtz is in poor form since he’s come to Liverpool. I actually think what we’re seeing is what he is.
"I was worried for him probably 12 months ago and maybe that was a little bit early to say that but I didn’t say it. It was just in the back of my head. I don’t see how he’s going to hurt you. He’s neat and tidy and in some ways the price tag for that sort of player should be half of what Liverpool paid. The worry for Wirtz is his performances so far have been so low and where we expected him was up here [high], to take Liverpool to a Premier League title, to another Champions League."