Iraola to Shift Wirtz Central for Liverpool's Attack

Liverpool's new manager, Andoni Iraola, has outlined his strategic vision for Florian Wirtz, intending to utilize him primarily as a central attacking midfielder. Iraola expressed a desire to see the Germany international play more frequently in the position behind the striker, a role where Wirtz previously excelled at Bayer Leverkusen. During the 2023/24 season, Wirtz often played on the left wing for Liverpool and the German national team. His most impactful performances occurred at Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso, where he recorded 18 goals and 20 assists in 49 games. Wirtz's initial season with Liverpool presented challenges, with a notable dry spell before scoring his first goal in late December. Across 49 appearances for the Reds, 31 were in a central role, yielding five goals and six assists. In contrast, his contributions from the left and right wings were less significant, with one goal and two assists in each wide position. Iraola stated his intention to further develop Wirtz's already impressive skillset. The squad is currently preparing for the upcoming Premier League season in the USA, with their first match scheduled for August 23 against Newcastle United.