Daniel Sturridge has weighed in on Florian Wirtz’s recent display against Manchester United, suggesting Arne Slot may need to make structural changes to Liverpool’s midfield in order to get the best out of the German playmaker.
Wirtz’s performance in the high-profile fixture once again highlighted both his technical quality and the difficulty Liverpool have had in consistently unlocking his full creative influence in the final third.
While he remains one of the most talented players in the squad, questions continue to be asked about his best role within Slot’s system.
Speaking after watching Liverpool’s latest meeting with Manchester United, Sturridge argued that the issue is not Wirtz’s ability, but rather the balance of players around him.
He said on Sky Sports: “I think the defensive midfield area is something that Liverpool have been missing for years. We had Fabinho, we had I think the midfield that we had of previous years. I think psychologically we’re already more defensive.”
He continued: “I think with Liverpool now, they need a guy who can come in and allow for Wirtz to be free. Because if you play Wirtz in the 10, the two defenders need to be defensive.”
He suggested that Liverpool’s midfield setup is not currently providing the protection and structure needed for Wirtz to operate at his highest level in advanced areas.
Sturridge explained that Liverpool need greater control behind the attacking line, pointing to the importance of having a more stable defensive midfield presence that allows creative players more freedom.
His view is that without that balance, Wirtz is often forced to drop deeper or drift into areas where he cannot consistently influence attacking moves.
Slot facing tactical decisions
Arne Slot now faces ongoing tactical questions as he attempts to refine Liverpool’s attacking structure during a transitional season.
While the team has shown flashes of quality, consistency in the final third remains an issue, particularly in matches where opposition sides defend deep or disrupt rhythm in midfield.
Wirtz’s integration is central to that challenge, with Liverpool needing to decide whether to adjust the system around him or continue developing his role within the current structure.
Sturridge’s comments suggest this is not simply about form or confidence, but about longer-term squad construction and balance.
If Liverpool want to maximise Wirtz’s impact, the solution may lie in reshaping the midfield dynamic rather than expecting him to adapt endlessly to different roles.
For Slot, the challenge is clear: unlock Wirtz’s creativity without compromising the stability of the team as a whole.
