Rousing the Kop

Steve Nicol says 'struggling' Liverpool star needs to change position after difficult start to this season

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They have scored plenty of goals but also conceded far too many, with counter attacks and set pieces appearing to be the main problem.

Steve Nicol says 'struggling' Liverpool star needs to change position after difficult start to this season


Although Liverpool have a wealth of talent from front to back, opponents seem to be able to carve them open far too easily, something Arne Slot might need to work on if they are to win back-to-back Premier Leagues.



And, according to ex-Red Steve Nicol, there is one player in particular who he thinks might be part of the problem, with the Scotsman suggesting he needs to move position so he can improve.



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Liverpool have spent close to £300m this summer and so far, their new signings have struggled to adapt to the team.

Of course, it is still very early, but bar Hugo Ekitike, the others have been a little below par, at least based on the high expectations they have set themselves that is.



Florian Wirtz especially might have disappointed a few fans due to his £116m price tag, with the German not being bad, but just being unable to make a real impact.

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Nicol believes this might be because the number 10 position does not suit him in the Premier League, with the former Liverpool right-back suggesting he should be moved out to the left, or even be dropped altogether.

Right now, he isn’t getting on the ball, which is what he was brought in to do, but from a defensive point of view there is no question that Liverpool are struggling big time,” Nicol told ESPN.

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“So, he may have to move him out wide and use Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Gravenberch as the midfield three, because right now the back four cannot defend as a unit.

“So they might have to change the way they play, move Wirtz out to a wide area in my opinion, but then at the same time, Gakpo doesn’t deserve to be dropped.

Are you going to drop Gakpo just because you’ve paid £100m for Florian Wirtz?

It’s a tough decision.”

Wirtz has clearly been ‘struggling’ in the early parts of the season, but that is natural given that he is new to the league.

Not only that, but his price tag will play a key role as he is under serious pressure to perform, something that can really have an impact on a player.

The good thing for Liverpool is that he is only 22 and is still learning, suggesting that he might just explode once it all clicks into place.

Wirtz has also shown glimpses of excellence and that he might just be able to add something that no one else can, so time could just be all he needs.