Why Florian Wirtz Could Be the Unlikely Solution to Arne Slot’s Biggest Headache | OneFootball

Florian Wirtz, the future of German football, a man hailed as a generational talent and one with a skillset not many players possess, is edging closer to a switch to the red of Merseyside.

A rumoured fee of €100 million + add-ons as Liverpool look set to break their club transfer record. The Reds are prepared to make a statement signing as they look to defend their Premier League title. But why Wirtz?

After an impressive first campaign for Arne Slot, in which he exceeded expectations, it was clear that Liverpool still had glaring issues. Slot was overperforming, but the limitations were obvious. A historic season from Mohamed Salah did most of the heavy lifting, while an improved midfield featuring Gravenberch, Szoboszlai and Mac Allister added some much-needed stability.

The biggest issue for Liverpool came in the striker department. Darwin Nunez once again failed to live up to expectations. Jota faced a massive drop-off in both quality and consistency. Luiz Diaz was used as a makeshift striker at times, but none of the options proved to be a permanent solution.

With Liverpool linked to names like Isak, Alvarez and Ekitike, financial constraints and player availability have made these moves unlikely. If reports are to be believed, the Premier League champions are looking for a bona fide No. 9, but the current state of the market could prove difficult to find both the best solution and the most optimal financial one.

That’s where Wirtz comes in. While he isn’t a striker and there’s a strong chance Slot uses him as a left-wing or a number 10, there’s an outside chance he tries something a little bit different. Wirtz as a false 9.

The Florian Wirtz False 9 Blueprint: Slot’s Tactical Twist

The ‘false 9’, a blend between a striker and a number 10. It isn’t seen often in football, with very few being able to master the elite technical ability and tactical awareness needed for the role. Slot has already spoken about what he requires from his No. 9. Goals and hard work.

Wirtz has found the back of the net 16 times in 40 league and Champions League appearances while operating as a No. 10 this season and has also ranked 21st for intensive sprints among Bundesliga players with 2302 in 31 games, underlining his work rate.

Slot has publicly praised Luis Enrique’s PSG after they knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League. The Dutchman hinted at drawing inspiration from their exciting, fluid style of play. Ousmane Dembélé has been a revelation for Enrique, playing a key role in their run to the final with 29 goal contributions in 43 appearances, often operating as a false 9.

Dembélé could be the blueprint for how Slot might utilise Wirtz. PSG’s goal at Anfield in March came from Dembélé dropping deep to receive the ball, a core trait of the false 9. When comparing Wirtz and Dembélé on platforms like DataMB, similarities are clear. Attacking actions, key passes, dribbles and progressive carries are all high, suggesting Wirtz could be an ideal fit for the role.

via Data.MB

Strikerless Liverpool? Slot’s Most Daring System Yet

Another possible option for Slot is going strikerless, not using a false 9, but instead deploying two roaming attacking midfielders. This was on display during the Reds’ 2-0 win over Manchester City at the Etihad. Jones and Szoboszlai operated as hybrid false 9s. They led the press, formed a fluid front four with Salah and Diaz, and dropped deep to create a box midfield with Mac Allister and Gravenberch.

Wirtz, being a more attacking option than Jones, could easily take up this role. His pressing numbers speak for themselves, and he would likely feel less isolated working alongside Szoboszlai rather than being a lone false 9.

The Wildcard or Slot’s Secret Weapon?

While it is more realistic to expect Wirtz to play in a traditional role, as a No. 10 or out wide, it’s not beyond reason for Slot to explore a more fluid setup. The Dutchman has already shown a willingness to experiment and adapt, consistently looking for ways to outthink his opponents.

With the striker market lacking the ideal profile for Liverpool, shifting the system could be smarter than settling for a backup option. That makes Wirtz a compelling, strategic target, not just a marquee name, but potentially the key to an innovative new approach in attack.