Forget Szoboszlai & Bradley: 28-touch Liverpool maestro dominated Real Madrid in first-half | OneFootball

Florian Wirtz put on a superb display in the first half of action against Real Madrid.

The German international was selected ahead of Cody Gakpo for the Reds’ Champions League encounter with the Spanish giants.

The Merseysiders went into the half-time break with the score level at 0-0 despite the hosts dominating the first 45 minutes of the European encounter.

What do the stats say about Florian Wirtz vs Real Madrid?

(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Arne Slot will be sitting a little smugly after having started Wirtz on the left flank in place of his Dutch compatriot.

The former Bayer Leverkusen star proved his £116m (full package) price tag with a stellar first half against Xabi Alonso’s visitors.

* Florian Wirtz’s stats during first half of Liverpool vs Real Madrid (Sofascore)

His key moment in the clash came as he picked up possession on the right flank before fizzing in a pass to Dominik Szoboszlai inside the Madrid box.

The Hungarian got a shot off from close range, but was quickly smothered by the advancing Thibaut Courtois in goal, who had been alert to the danger.

Arne Slot now has a fresh Liverpool problem

What a conundrum for Arne Slot!

The Dutch head coach has restored a sense of balance to his Liverpool side after reverting back to the more familiar 4-3-3 shape that saw the Reds lift the Premier League title last term.

Further to the point, the Merseyside giants have looked dominant against Real Madrid – clearly so.

Which raises a difficult point for a manager who lured Wirtz to Anfield on the basis he’d be playing a central role in the side (both figuratively and literally).

(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Bayern could not make the same promise with Jamal Musiala having firmly cornered off the position as his own.

However, Liverpool do, at some point, have to find a way to make it work without subtracting from a midfield trio of Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexis Mac Allister which clearly works.

The only solution that comes to mind is sacrificing a forward and playing Florian Wirtz as a number 10 behind two strikers.

But why change a system that is currently rewarding the Reds at home and abroad?

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