“Crossing a motorway!” Journalist reacts to Wirtz’s Liverpool displays | OneFootball

Wirtz struggles highlighted as Liverpool displays spark debate

Liverpool’s back-to-back defeats have sparked questions about their recent displays, with TalkSport Breakfast featuring Alan Brazil, Ally McCoist and Dominic King dissecting what has gone wrong. From tactical choices to new signings like Florian Wirtz, the conversation was dominated by concerns over rhythm, cohesion and impact.

Sobering Liverpool displays under scrutiny

Alan Brazil set the tone by pointing out the noise inside Rams Park on Tuesday night, describing it as “deafening, deafening Galatas every time the whistles the jeers was incredible.” He was baffled by team selections too, asking, “Salah Isac Mallister on the bench while Frimpong started right wing back. That was a strange one was it not?”

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Dominic King, chief football writer at the Daily Mail, argued that Arne Slot had reasons for rotating but admitted Liverpool’s performances were far from convincing. “It’s just not clicking all over, Al. If you’ve been watching Liverpool closely all season, there’s definitely been parts of games when it hasn’t been right.”

King stressed the real issue was the quality of the displays. “A defeat last night isn’t the end of the world. The one thing that was the issue, however, was the manner of the performance that I think was quite sobering.”

McCoist backs patience but notes flaws

Ally McCoist accepted that peaks and troughs are part of football, but he also observed concerning trends. Reflecting on earlier home matches, he said, “Particularly first 30 minutes 35 minutes in the two home games against Madrid and Everton, I thought they were absolutely… they were fantastic, and then it was as if a button switched and they took their foot off the pedal.”

For McCoist, the concern is not just defeat but inconsistency within games, as Liverpool move from dominance to vulnerability.

Wirtz singled out as adjustments continue

Dominic King focused on new arrivals, particularly Florian Wirtz, describing his early weeks in the Premier League. “His first couple of games he looked like a man trying to cross the motorway because it’s just happening so quickly for him. But I think he needs a moment. He needs a moment in a game. I think he’s a brilliant player. You can see his quality. It stands out a mile, but he needs a moment in a game to just sort of quieten everyone down.”

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King extended this analysis to Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, saying they were also still adjusting, while recommending stability with experience. “For me, I’d have Andy Robertson at left back at the moment. I just would to settle things down.”

Wider context and challenges ahead

King also acknowledged the backdrop to these struggles. He reminded listeners, “They’ve been through an unbelievable time sadly with what happened with Diogo Jota and people are still finding the way for that.” While he stressed this was not an excuse, it remains a reality shaping the squad’s mentality.

Looking ahead, the discussion turned to Stamford Bridge. Brazil noted the importance of the trip to Chelsea, while King highlighted Alisson’s absence as critical. “Alisson’s injury is huge. Because Liverpool will cope without him, but they won’t be as good without him.”

The TalkSport debate captured the unease around Liverpool’s current displays. Whether through Wirtz’s adaptation, defensive fragility or inconsistent intensity, the expectation is clear: performances must improve quickly to prevent a worrying slide.