We’re only two games into the Premier League season, but some already believe cracks are starting to show at Anfield.
Indeed, Liverpool’s defence hasn’t been incredible this season as the Reds have conceded four goals in two games already, which is a terrible return for a team trying to win the Premier League.
Speaking on the Highbury Squad YouTube channel, Steve Nicol has been discussing Liverpool’s defensive issues, and he’s highlighted one player who he thinks is pretty abysmal in a defensive sense.
Indeed, according to Nicol, Florian Wirtz doesn’t give Liverpool anything defensively, claiming that he doesn’t even fill holes on the pitch in the way he should.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Florian Wirtz is useless defensively
Nicol spoke about Liverpool’s defensive problems and Florian Wirtz.
The pundit claimed that the German just isn’t good defensively, while he also noted that he’s not producing in an attacking sense so far either.
Wirtz has been criticised already, and Nicol has picked out another flaw here.
“I think the problem really is with Florian Wirtz,” Nicol said.
“Does Arne Slot continue with the three in midfield with Wirtz? He was bought because of what he does going forward and he hasn’t produced really, let’s be honest, and he doesn’t give you anything defensively, he doesn’t even fill a hole. Defensively Liverpool are vulnerable.”
Florian Wirtz’s defensive stats
Nicol says Wirtz doesn’t offer anything defensively, but that may be a tad harsh.
Indeed, while the German isn’t exactly a Ryan Gravenberch type midfielder, he’s not scared to get stuck in when he has to.
His defensive stats from this season aren’t actually that bad.
This season Career average
Tackles per game 1.5 0.9
Interceptions per game 0 0.3
Florian Wirtz’s stats
1.5 tackles per game is actually the fifth-highest tally of any player in the Liverpool squad, while his overall career defensive stats aren’t terrible either.
Wirtz could improve in regards to tracking back and covering more ground, but that isn’t what he was signed for, he’s a creative number 10 who you always want to be higher up the pitch.