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Cody Gakpo’s injury could have a big impact on Florian Wirtz back at Liverpool

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Liverpool are sweating on the fitness of Cody Gakpo after the forward sustained what looked like a nasty ankle injury while playing for the Netherlands against Serbia on Sunday.

Gakpo has been in terrific form this season, adding to his goal tally with a stunning volley during last week’s draw against Jurgen Klopp’s Germany, but he now looks set for a spell of ‘several weeks’ on the sidelines.

The Dutchman is unlikely to make it back in time for Liverpool‘s clash with Manchester City on October 11th, and with Alexander Isak a doubt to face City as well, Andoni Iraola may have to make some changes in his attack. While the Basque has several options to consider, one of those may be to move Florian Wirtz into the front line.

Wirtz can join Liverpool’s attack

Wirtz and his continued underperformance has arguably been the biggest topic at Liverpool during the season so far, with fans and pundits all still wondering how the Reds can get more from their £116m signing.

Iraola has so far used Wirtz in what should theoretically be his most natural position; in the No. 10 role behind Isak.

The German has not been particularly effective, though, and there has been a fairly clear knock-on effect that his presence as an attacking midfielder has disrupted the balance of the midfield, with Liverpool still trying to get to grips with a two-man engine room.

While they have escaped without tasting defeat under Iraola so far, that will be given the biggest test during their next outing against City, with Enzo Maresca’s team arguably boasting the best, and most controlling, midfield in the Premier League.

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Enzo Fernandez and Elliot Anderson have settled fantastically as a pairing, and if Liverpool are to hand City their first defeat of the season in two weeks’ time, then they will have to win the midfield battle.

If Gakpo and Isak are fit, the temptation from Iraola will probably be to keep things as they are. The pair are in form and surely have to play against the Citizens, while Bradley Barcola is another certain starter. That would be Liverpool’s attack sorted, with Wirtz retaining his job as a No. 10.

However, if both are missing, it might make sense for Iraola to shift Wirtz forward and solidify the middle of the pitch. There have been calls for Dominik Szoboszlai to replace the No. 7, and the Hungarian could add more security to the attacking midfield role, giving Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch – or even Trey Nyoni – a more secure platform.

Arne Slot beat Man City by playing Curtis Jones and Szoboszlai as dual 10s at the Etihad Stadium 18 months ago, Iraola could revisit that to make the best out of Gakpo and Isak’s injuries.

Bradley Barcola could play centrally

If Iraola does choose to move Wirtz, the question then would be one of which role should the Germany international occupy. As a false 9 or dual 10 with Szoboszlai would possibly make the most sense, and that could see Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz do their best impressions of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah cutting in from wide to fill the central space.

But it could be that Iraola chooses to play Wirtz on the left, where Slot occasionally deployed him last season. The former Bayer Leverkusen man was not super effective while playing wide, but without Isak and Gakpo, there could be a logic to it.

The next man up to play centrally would be either Victor Munoz or Lewis Koumas, but there are question marks over both. Munoz has never featured in that role for Liverpool, while it would be a big gamble to go with Koumas. As a result, Iraola could stick Barcola through the middle and Wirtz on the left instead.

The pair have shown the beginnings of forming a good understanding, and it may make sense to have them playing close to each other on the left/central forward area, dragging defenders out and leaving space for Szoboszlai to crash the box and Munoz on the right to use his pace.

This may not be a long-term plan for Iraola who has clearly marked Wirtz out for an orthodox attacking midfield role, but without their two best attackers of the season so far, it could be an interesting workaround and something different to add to Liverpool’s armoury in the future. Clearly, the ideal scenario is that Isak and Gakpo are ready, but if neither are, it should not be the end of the world for the Reds. In fact, it might just lead to a new lease of life for Wirtz.

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A graphic that reads: "Alexander Isak is to return to Liverpool from international duty due to a minor injury." Image shows Alexander Isak playing for Sweden.

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