Florian Wirtz could hold key to Dominik Szoboszlai move as Liverpool consider options
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Dominik Szoboszlai impressed in yet another position for Liverpool on Sunday - and one partnership with Florian Wirtz has not yet been properly unlockedIt wasn't just on the pitch where fortune eventually favoured Liverpool at the weekend. Even when handed an injury blow ahead of kick-off at Nottingham Forest when Florian Wirtz was forced to withdraw, Arne Slot believes there was at least one aspect in which his team were a little bit lucky."If there was an injury then the best thing that could have happened was it was in midfield because for the rest we struggle a bit more," admitted the Reds boss.Speaking after the game, Slot was hopeful Wirtz would be fit enough to be available for Saturday's Premier League clash at home to West Ham United.READ MORE: Real Madrid appeal over Florian Wirtz transfer revealed after Liverpool £116m dealREAD MORE: Alexander Isak intrigue grows as Sweden make claim over Liverpool striker - 'fingers crossed'Liverpool's options are likely to be bolstered further by the return of Jeremie Frimpong after almost a month out with a groin problem.But even if Frimpong is unable to step straight into the starting line-up, that Dominik Szoboszlai was swiftly moved out of the emergency right-back role he again started in at Forest on Sunday underlines Slot perhaps now prefers alternatives, with Curtis Jones and the fit-again Joe Gomez occupying the position for the remainder of the game at the City Ground.Szoboszlai was moved into a defensive midfield role alongside Ryan Gravenberch, which saw Alexis Mac Allister pushed forward into the number 10 role from which he scored Liverpool's dramatic late winner.But Wirtz's likely recovery for Saturday means Slot has an issue - where best to employ his four main midfielders?They key is perhaps where the Reds boss believes his player of the season Szoboszlai is best suited for each particular game.
Against Forest, it swiftly became apparent the defensive shield was missing a player of his physicality and strength.The Hungary international, though, has only started seven games this campaign as part of the double pivot, although he can claim two goals and an assist from his last four outings in the position.Of those outings, the most regular midfielder partnership was with Mac Allister to his left and Wirtz as the number 10, which was used three times.For comparison, Szoboszlai has started seven games at right-back, eight on the right wing, four ostensibly as a regular central midfielder and 10 as the most attacking player in the engine room.Wirtz, although having already proven more than capable of occupying either flank, has undoubtedly been preferred as number 10 by Slot, with 19 of the £116million man's 29 starts coming in the position.While they have started together on 27 occasions this season, a regular midfield triumvirate in which both Wirtz and Szoboszlai have lined up has happened only six times this season, the most recent of which was the FA Cup win over Brighton less than a fortnight ago.With Liverpool hoping for a busy end to the season, Slot will need as many personnel and as much tactical variety as possible at his disposal.But Wirtz as the number 10 and Szoboszlai as one of the players in behind is a combination of which the surface is still only being scratched. It could give Liverpool a new dimension when required during the closing months.