Why Arne Slot has to make a change with Florian Wirtz if Liverpool are to beat Newcastle tomorrow - opinion
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Liverpool will need all the help they can get when they face Newcastle on bank holiday Monday.
The Reds’ title defence has already begun and after an edgy win over Bournemouth on the opening weekend, they will be hoping for a stronger performance this time around.
However, in their way stands Newcastle United in a game that has all the hallmarks of a match for the history books.
With everything that has been going on surrounding Alexander Isak’s future, Eddie Howe’s side will be doing all they can to get one over on Liverpool and certainly will not make it easy for them.
Arne Slot will have to be very careful with his team selection as he needs to ensure the balance is right, and this might mean that Florian Wirtz might have to make way for another Reds star.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
When Liverpool paid £116m for Wirtz this summer, everyone just knew he would go into the number 10 position and likely stay there for the majority of the season.
But, after just one week, the German might already lose his regular spot in the middle of the pitch to Dominik Szoboszlai, but only due to how intense this game will be.
Liverpool need all the legs they can get in midfield against the likes of Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes, but this is needed even more now.
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With that said, Slot will likely move Wirtz out to the left instead of Cody Gakpo, with Szoboszlai starting in the midfield three, hopefully giving the Reds all the energy they need.
The Hungarian also brings a lot more than just his engine too, with Neil Mellor believing he was one of the ‘standout’ players in pre-season for Liverpool.
Wirtz has also played out on the left before for Bayer Leverkusen so he is more than capable, with Slot said to have seen him as a viable option out wide before they even signed the 22-year-old.
Having Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Wirtz all in the team together, as well as Mohamed Salah of course, the creative output should be on another level.
And, with Hugo Ekitike likely leading the line for the Reds, he will need to be clinical and finish the chances he gets, with Liverpool needing to quieten down the crowd where possible.
The fact the Frenchman was wanted by Newcastle earlier in the window also adds a little extra pressure, so scoring would really help settle any nerves.
With Manchester City dropping points and Arsenal winning convincingly, a result for Liverpool will certainly be a real statement of intent, although Newcastle will make it as hard as possible.