25 Aug 2026 21:14:35
Is Wirtz's father working to get his son out of Liverpool to Barca or just noise?
25 Aug 2026 22:31:07
Barca?
Who's paying off their debt, Elon Musk?
They can't afford Wirtz even if we were open to selling.
25 Aug 2026 22:41:17
No, you are just reading Space on Twitter. Move along.
25 Aug 2026 22:41:19
You have put the cat amongst the pigeons there, that's what you call a rumour, but is it?
Barcola to replace Wirtz as number 7?
25 Aug 2026 22:29:43
Who said this? Not ITK space I hope
25 Aug 2026 22:46:15
Did you read the ITKSpace article fully?
It said Barca, Chelsea and Bayern have said if his son was looking to move on in the future they'd be interested, but Florian is happy at Liverpool, wants to win things and prove people wrong
25 Aug 2026 23:07:55
Suppose we do a swap with Pedri?
25 Aug 2026 23:17:53
Wirtz is an awesome player, not being played to his strengths. Letting him go would be outrageous; he's our most talented player, given the chance.
The one everyone seems to be raving about is Ngumoha, but I haven't seen anything from him yet to suggest he has top level ability.
25 Aug 2026 23:33:01
Can't see it myself, but may link in with Macca's post on our interest in Gavi.
26 Aug 2026 00:31:30
Wirtz fits in as the second attacker in the Iraola system like Krupp player for the Cherries.
Solidly the MF 3 and get it done.
26 Aug 2026 05:46:22
I love that he is a LFC player, and I can't wait for him to start proving himself over the course of this season, just to shut up so many people who constantly have a go at the lad.
He hasn't been ripping it up, I get that, but let's put the pitch forks away and see what Iraola's style can do for Wirtz.
{Ed666's Note - Arne Slot wrecked the guy in my opinion and now he’s having to get used to a new coach and system. I think and hope he comes good because most of the pundits (including Liverpool ones) think he’s a massive waste of money and like you I’d love it if he came good just to shut them up.
26 Aug 2026 06:38:32
Barca would suit him, but I expect he'll get this season to try to establish himself with us.
At the moment, though, Szob is the better option at 10. If Barcola doesn't happen, maybe try him off the left again.
26 Aug 2026 06:59:29
Wirtz is quality. If he can't perform, high chances it is the coach's fault for not being able to identify his strengths and use them accordingly in our squad.
Give Iraola and Wirtz a chance this season to make things right.
To sell him after a bad season is stupid. Our season was bad last year, not because of Wirtz, but the entire team failed to show up. Even Salah had his worst season last year.
{Ed666's Note - no coincidence the system changes and the whole team plays crap
26 Aug 2026 06:48:48
Ed666. And not just Wirtz. Slot did the same to Gakpo. Tried to do the same to Salah.
This is not Slot bashing, because it's history now.
{Ed666's Note - Yep let it lay in the past mate. It’s just hard to divorce myself from Slot PTSD.
26 Aug 2026 07:36:29
Wirtz is a brilliant young player and we're so lucky to have him at Liverpool.
He should always be first on the Teamsheet with Szobozlai imo.
{Ed666's Note - I concur with gusto mate.
26 Aug 2026 07:37:06
The reason Wirtz has been bang average up till now is down to Wirtz. We're into a new season and we still keep mentioning Slot. Let's move on and hopefully Wirtz turns into the player we all thought he was.
{Ed666's Note - Tje reason he was player of the year in Germany was because the system wasn’t archaic and draconian as the one slot utilized. I can respect your loyalty to Slot mate but the man destroyed confidence and careers in his second season with the absolute shite he served up week in week out. How he kept his job beyond Xmas is a crime Hughes and Edwards should have been arrested for.
26 Aug 2026 07:45:28
Exactly, from here on in how Wirtz plays is not down to Slot. Hope it's a non-conversation because he starts showing what we all thought we were getting.
26 Aug 2026 07:59:54
Ed666, it's nowt to do with loyalty to Slot, I wanted him out. I maintain my belief, that Wirtz mediocrity is down to Wirtz. He needs to step up, starting Saturday.
{Ed666's Note - I agree Rome Wirtz needs to step up mate. But I’m prepared to wipe the slate clean and judge him on this seasons performances as In my humble opinion he had mitigation for not shining last season.
26 Aug 2026 08:08:11
Not helped by clickbait Carragher writing him off on MNF.
He interviewed Iraola last week, and told him the Liverpool fans will be patient. And then, after the first game of the season, throws everyone under the bus.
{Ed666's Note - I have no respect for him especially as he looks like my Uncle who i despise
26 Aug 2026 08:10:59
I'm rooting for him, mate. I was going to say I'll be singing his name on Saturday, but he still doesn't have a song!
26 Aug 2026 08:13:27
Why do you guts still defend Slot? If you like him so much, my advice: go and support him and his new club!
Slot wrecked our team and players last year. He won a Premier League with Klopp's team, then thought he was some messiah.
Our players had a season of his tactics and dross, then a World Cup.
They have had next to no time to get used to playing to AI's new tactics, so, yes, then slip into 'Slot mode' until that is extracted from them.... So yes, I still see Slot as the problem!
{Ed666's Note - To be fair the title winning season with slot we played some sparkling stuff infused with pragmatism. If we’d have kept it line that I would have had no problems with Slot staying but what we got last season was bordering on Hodgson and that was a crime against football.
26 Aug 2026 08:16:25
I'm with Rome regarding Wirtz, but I see the references to Slot's style also having merit. I was one of his detractors last season. However, nobody can argue that Wirtz has not, to now, been a bag of cats, and not worth a quarter of the money paid for him. Sometimes, regardless of your surroundings, and being confident of your own talent, you should be able to rise above the crap surrounding you and show just how good you really are.
Prove yourself. Even just in one game. He hasn't done that at all, so, for me too, the jury is out on him and whether he has the physicality, and, more importantly, the mentality to actually go do this. I hope he does, but he has zero hiding places to run to come next May if he doesn't. It's most certainly up to him now.
{Ed666's Note - Fairs
26 Aug 2026 08:21:57
Bazz, I'm waiting for Slot to get a new club then I'm off to support whoever he manages.
I'm nothing but a plastic supporter and proud of it.
{Ed666's Note - Get a room you two. I can supply the candles and rose petals?
26 Aug 2026 08:23:15
He's had one competitive game with the new manager, new coaches, new system.
I'm prepared to cut him quite a bit of slack and the same goes for Isak.
We know how good they can be.
Having said that, re:Wirtz, I think he's a very good player in terms of ball skills.
Two things can be true at the same time, you can be a great player and also not be suited to Premier League football.
If we're being honest, the jury is out. He gets time to adapt to a new system before we scrutinise.
26 Aug 2026 08:28:55
Ed0666, whose careers were wrecked last season?
I get the confidence bit but I can't think of any careers getting wrecked because of one season.
Cheers.
{Ed666's Note - I was exaggerating for the narrative mate.
26 Aug 2026 08:50:50
Wirtz, it's at the point of our midfield, but our midfield balance behind is way off.
Szoboszlai can't play in the number 8 role with Gravenberch because he is not a number 6.
For me, to play Szoboszlai there, we need a very disciplined holding player, or for me we need two midfielders, and Szoboszlai needs moving forward wide right or the number 10 role.
{Ed666's Note - I have faith in Irola to get the dynamic right as he seems like he has some nous. But he needs time to implement his ideas as he hasn’t got a full squad yet.
26 Aug 2026 08:51:17
There can always be mitigating factors for sub-par performances, but truly great players rise above it.
I've not seen anything great about Wirtz or Isak yet. Iraola will hopefully help bring more out of them, but they basically need to do more themselves.
Players like Suarez were great from day one, in an average team, coming from a weaker league, with an average coach. It's just excuses.
{Ed666's Note - it’s unfair to compare Suarez to Wirtz. Luis was twice the player Wirtz is. But some players just need time to settle into a new environment, culture, country etc. let’s have this conversation in January mate? Maybe he does stink the place out but I feel he needs some more time before we perform the post mortem
26 Aug 2026 08:50:51
With you there, Ron.
I do love a scented candle, Ed666. Thanks ever so much.
{Ed666's Note - Jasmine or sandalwood?
26 Aug 2026 08:59:47
Haha, nice one, Ed666.
You did me there!
Bazz, I don't think anyone is still defending Slot. He got what he deserved but he's not to blame for everything that happened last season.
You talk about posters 'still defending Slot' but you're still blaming him. We have a new coach and some new players (probably not enough) now so let's move on.
{Ed666's Note - I think we should all agree to leave the S word in the past, until I use it to blame us for our poor performances this season ?
26 Aug 2026 09:07:54
Oooohhhh, sandalwood, please. x.
{Ed666's Note - that made me chuckle more than it should of ?
26 Aug 2026 09:11:27
I think I might wait to see if Wirtz can sink his teeth into his role before I start comparing him to Suarez.
26 Aug 2026 09:36:22
I think Carra (not ours) made some good points recently about Wirtz.
{Ed666's Note - would you mind elaborating on the reasonings for your appreciation of the aforementioned comments please Kaiser and what was the evidence to support the statements he made because I switch off the TV or podcast when he carragher talks.
26 Aug 2026 09:38:33
What Ed said just there about Wirtz and Suarez is totally correct. Suarez is twice the player. But it's also half the problem with Wirtz. We were told when we were signing him he was a footballing God. Bundesliga's best player of the last 30years. Even someone like myself that watches duck all Bundesliga bought into it. Thats why I think it's so hard for some fans to accept how average he's been. Why every excuse under the sun is pulled out for him.
For what it's worth I think Wirtz will look better when we get real pace in on the wings with players that will run in behind.But I also think he would have looked better with them kinda players under Slot as well. Pace and grafters on the wings will make such a difference.
{Ed666's Note - we had agreed not to mention the S word Florian ?
26 Aug 2026 09:44:23
Wirtz is clearly one of our best players ignoring the price tag - his technical ability on the ball, ability to find a pass etc. are top notch, although his finishing is not quite proven IMO. I agree he has a lot to prove this year, but last season's turgid football did not give him a platform to perform.
I'm more concerned that we have Gakpo (good but not world class), Rio (talented but a kid), and Munoz (unproven in the PL) as our starting wide players. Compare that to Salah/Diaz or Salah/Mane and you realise how far we've fallen. What the hell is our transfer team doing this season - Tottenham, Arsenal and Man City have all been much more productive even if we do end up getting Barcola.
I'm also very surprised we haven't bought a proper 6, and as much as I love the guy I'm still concerned Szoboslai is more suited to a midfield three than a double pivot. Especially next to Gravenberch, he overcommits far too much in attack and his tackling and defensive awareness are more suited to an 8 or even a 10. I'd rather have seen us sell MacAllister and bought a top notch 6 just for balance in the squad.
Very disappointed with Edwards/Hughes.
{Ed666's Note - good read that was mate
26 Aug 2026 09:53:37
There's no denying Wirtz's quality. We just don't need a 10. Bring back Brexit! 6 and two 8s. Both Dom and Macca are capable of the little slide passes around the box and rotations. Brexit midfield provides stability. Wirtz signing has killed the balance...unless you shift him left...tough one to sort out for AI.
26 Aug 2026 09:57:09
I suppose it was the way fans use words like great to describe Wirtz, so I was trying to think of a great that we bought from a lesser league, who played under a poor coach.
Agree he's young, and hopefully will improve massively. I'm a believer that greats have some qualities that aren't easily coached, and it's often too easy to blame the coach for players not producing their best.
If they're great, they need to do it themselves. Iraola will definitely provide the freedom to
play. Now it's up to them.
{Ed666's Note - great ?
26 Aug 2026 10:03:22
So what tactics are going to bring out the best in Wirtz?
{Ed666's Note - well he needs movement and pace around him for starters
26 Aug 2026 10:15:55
Reading this thread, it's evident almost none of you have played football at any level, it's quite simple really. It takes time to settle into the pace of higher quality leagues. I remember when I moved to St. Etienne back in the day, I couldn't touch the ball in training in the first 2 months and got moved to the Under 18s from the 1st team (I was 16 at the time), despite me being the best dribbler you've never seen! After a year or so I was again the best player in training, and the coaches even used to give me my own colored jersey so I didn't have to defend and play attack for both teams.
(They said it's what Barca did with Ronaldinho.) My point is be patient and Wirtz will prove his class in time.
26 Aug 2026 10:40:03
Lol. This is great stuff. Especially the candle chat.
My personal favourite is lemon Lavender Yankee, brightens up the room.
If we sold Wirtz to Spurs, we could get £300m or so and buy Mbappe, that's unless Spurs are buying Mbappe too. Those NFL games must be making those boys a clean fortune.
26 Aug 2026 11:14:30
3 properties being ready for approval and signing off this weekend! Old style non itk passed on words.
26 Aug 2026 11:26:10
Bring back Brexit?!
I thought we had taken back control but clearly not looking at other teams running straight through us.
And we haven't ended freedom of movement watching nearly every red shirt positioned on the edge of the opponents' penalty area.
26 Aug 2026 12:02:15
Faith, I think Andoni is doing the right thing playing him off Isak in a 10, but the challenge is then you need a midfield 2 that actually works - whereas we have three 8's in the squad (Grav, Szobo and Macca) and no number 6. We also have two super attacking fullbacks, which just exacerbates the problem, and so defensive balance is all wrong when we lose the ball.
The solution imo would therefore be either
1) use more defensive minded FBs who can tuck into midfield to help tuck in and cover midfield (Araujo?) or
2) to bring in a top no.6 (in the mold or a Rodri) to sit alongside either Grav or Szobo or
3) go back to the future and play an all action midfield of Grav, Macca and Szobo and play Wirtz at LW (not the worst option imo with Kerkez on the overlap, and leaves Gakpo able to cover Isak).
I think Andoni is going the first route, as you can see Frimpong is being asked to sit much deeper already.
Gravenberch worked great as a 6 when we won the first season under Slot, but then
1) McAllister and Szobo were a dynamic pair of 8's in front of him, so we effectively had three 8's in midfield instead of two 8's and a 10, and
2) our back 4 was a lot more stable and reliable.
In short, I don't think the problem is insurmountable, but we have to get the balance right between attack and defence (currently tipped too far in favour of the attack) and we have to get some movement off the ball for Wirtz to hit.
26 Aug 2026 11:12:34
Ed0666, I believe he has offered some "honest" assessment of the player at this point. We are at the start year two of a highly touted player just not look right nor making an impact at LFC. Is a case of round peg square hole? or is it just the fact as Carra pints out he is not good as everyone thought he was and has not showed much upside.
I'm not buying tinto he theory that Slot ruined him. Cheers mate. How about you? YNWA
{Ed0666's Note - thanks for the context mate. As I said I usually turn off when JC turns on and don’t take much notice. Let’s see what happens with Florian but as I said too early to judge for me. Let’s give it to January at least.