'Take him out': Gabriel Agbonlahor offers solution for how Arne Slot can easily solve Liverpool's midfield issue

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.

Liverpool’s last two games have been laden with issues that Arne Slot needs to fix quickly.It has been a difficult week to see the Reds perform as they have with lacklustre showings in both the Premier League and Champions League after a whirlwind, undefeated start to the season.The ending of the unbeaten run by Crystal Palace was a gut-wrenching watch, given the last-minute Federico Chiesa equaliser, but it was deserved because they did not play well enough as a unit.The most recent showing against Galatasaray was even worse, with a lack of energy and a lack of care from some of the players, which was the complete opposite response to a weekend defeat.But it is not all doom and gloom because the team are still Liverpool, and there is an expectation that things will turn around quite soon, potentially against Chelsea.Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty ImagesArne Slot should axe Florian Wirtz, says Gabriel AgbonlahorAn issue that needs to be fixed is where exactly to fit Florian Wirtz into the team after his tough start to life on Merseyside, where the German has not been able to contribute since the Community Shield.However, he has shown himself to have some great qualities on and off the ball, which should at least make fans believe he will become a great player once he figures out how to play in the league.Gabriel Agbonlahor believes that fitting him into the team at the moment is detrimental to the results of the team, and Slot does not need to try to fit him into this current iteration.During a talkSPORT broadcast, the former Aston Villa player explained that he feels the Dutch manager needs to go back to last season’s midfield three to improve their chances.Agbonlahor said: “You’re making too many changes, stick to your midfield as well. Wirtz, it’s not working okay so you put him on the left against Crystal Palace, killed him because if there’s one game where a player like Wirtz does not want to play, it’s on the left-hand side vs Crystal Palace.“Take Wirtz out of it.

Yes, I know it’s tough, every manager wants to stick with their players that they spent big money on never mind £115 million but get back to what was working last season: Gravenberch, Mac Allister, and Szoboszlai in the middle. Get Szoboszlai’s energy back in that centre midfield role if you have to play Wirtz off that left-hand side in some games, even though Gakpo’s a very good player.”Florian Wirtz does not work well on the leftThe issue with playing Wirtz on the left is that it clearly does not work as outlined by Agbonlahor himself, and any change from Cody Gakpo or another out-and-out left winger will be an added issue for the squad.There is no real issue with playing the 22-year-old in the No.

10 role; it is clearly the fact that he is not up to speed with the pace, but especially the physicality of the league compared to what he experienced in Germany.READ MORE: Liverpool fans given proof that Florian Wirtz’s underwhelming start is not his faultPlacing him on the bench may work in the very short term, but in terms of his development, it may be an issue, considering he will not be getting the full experience of playing in England.However, it will definitely be an issue that is sorted by Slot very soon, given how he, as a manager, can adapt and instil confidence in his players.