Florian Wirtz change impossible to ignore as Liverpool immediate concern clear
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Liverpool are now unbeaten in seven games in all competitions but they are in a similar position to those ahead of them in the Premier League tableThe final whistle blew on a tense 2-1 victory and the relief was palpable. And Aston Villa came from behind at Chelsea to extend their remarkable run to seven successive league wins by a single-goal margin.It was a reminder the only priority during the busiest and most energy-sapping period of the season is a victory which, in the case of Arne Slot's side, was sufficient to move them back into the top four and a Champions League qualification berth for the first time since early November, three points ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea.Nevertheless, those few supporters who still regard Liverpool as title contenders are perhaps reading too much into the results rather than the performances.
Even then, seven points adrift of third-placed Aston Villa and 10 behind leaders Arsenal - and still needing to visit both clubs - suggests it would take a minor miracle for the championship to be retained.Instead, the immediate objective will be to maintain the momentum of the unbeaten Premier League run that was extended to six games with the slender triumph over rock-bottom Wolves at the weekend.It won't be easy, given over the next 11 days the Reds entertain in-form Leeds United before trips to the capital to take on Fulham and then title favourites Arsenal.And while a shift in approach from Slot has made Liverpool more robust, it has come at the expense of some of the more expansive elements to their game. Football's latest buzz phrase - set-piece balance - sees Liverpool languishing on minus nine, their worst tally ever during a Premier League season.But there are some reasons for positivity, with a number of the summer signings such as Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong now showing signs of why they were brought to the club.The evolution of Slot's Liverpool has not been painless and still requires more than a few tweaks.
Interesting, then, to discover how the Reds boss shuffles his pack in areas where he now has a number of options.Frimpong and Conor Bradley are strong right-back options, with the former also an alternative further upfield. Alexis Mac Allister, who has been moved out of a number six role to number 10, would appear most at risk.It is also impossible to ignore Wirtz's improvement has been integral to Liverpool's improved results and has coincided with Mohamed Salah failing to start any of the seven games in which the Reds have been unbeaten due to being first benched, then dropped and now on international duty.Liverpool's players have long been attuned to seeking out Salah at the first available opportunity and, while there is room for improvement in regard involving Wirtz more readily, now they are looking to the Germany international to create.