Dean Saunders believes Andoni Iraola should do what Brendan Rodgers did at Liverpool when it comes to Florian Wirtz
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Florian
Wirtz of Liverpool FC during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on August 23, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz has the faith of new Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola (Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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Liverpool have been told the way to bring the best out of Florian Wirtz is by copying a move straight from Brendan Rodgers’ playbook.
That’s the verdict of the club’s former British transfer record signing Dean Saunders, who reckons Andoni Iraola should replicate the decision Rodgers made over Philippe Coutinho when he was in charge at Anfield.
Wirtz has started each of Iraola’s first five Premier League matches in the Liverpool hotseat but his performance in the 1-0 win at Bournemouth before the international break drew criticism.
But Saunders believes a tactical tweak could do the trick - and by a move in the transfer market.
The former Wales international striker, who joined the Reds for £2.9m from Derby County back in July 1991, said: “I’m starting to view Florian Wirtz a little bit like I viewed Philippe Coutinho when he was at Liverpool.
“He was an absolute genius, Philippe, but sometimes struggled a bit out of possession. I think a lot of Liverpool’s good attacking football at the moment seems to flow through Florian, but he is a liability out of possession.
“I think it’s time to try him out wide, exactly how Brendan Rodgers did with Philippe and allow him to just create chances and not worry about defending too much.”
The decision to persist with Wirtz in the No.10 role means two of the four main centre-midfielders at Iraola’s disposal - Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Trey Nyoni - have had to jostle for two positions.
Florian Wirtz Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
But Saunders, speaking to the ECHO via Betpack, believes the Reds still need to sign an out-and-out No.6.
He said: “Liverpool are short of a solid defensive midfielder anyway, someone like Rodri, Patrick Viera or N'Golo Kante to just sit there and break up play.
“If they had a player in that bracket, then Dominik Szoboszlai could play slightly higher, and Wirtz could have a go out wide, and the team would be much more balanced.
“Liverpool haven’t conceded too many goals to start the season and have even kept a few clean sheets, but their midfield is a little unbalanced with Wirtz in it, and it will catch up to them eventually.”
Wirtz has now joined up with the Germany squad earlier than expected. The playmaker was only expected to link up with the national team, now under the command of legendary former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, for the third and fourth of their four Nations League matches.
But following injuries to Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz, Wirtz and Eintracht Frankfurt's Jonathan Burkardt will come into contention for Sunday’s home clash with Greece.
Klopp’s first game in charge of Germany ended in a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday with in-form Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo scoring an injury-time equaliser for the hosts.