Florian Wirtz’s best Liverpool role is clear after Nottingham Forest, Jurgen Klopp was right

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

It has taken some time, but we may be finally starting to see glimpses that Florian Wirtz can be a top, top player for Liverpool.He was unlucky not to get a goal in the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, but even with his effort being ruled out because Jeremie Frimpong was offside, there were moments of quality that showed exactly why the Reds were so keen to sign the German from Bayer Leverkusen.Wirtz’s exact role in this Liverpool team has not been clear since his arrival, often being used off both flanks as well as in the 10 position.But it looks like both Andoni Iraola and Jurgen Klopp think that the German international is at his best when he’s playing in the half spaces, and Saturday’s game suggests they are right. Andoni Iraola’s search for a first Premier League win goes on.

What positives are you taking from that display? 🤔 Credit: Liverpool FC/Getty Images Florian Wirtz’s best role for Liverpool is between the half spacesWhen speaking to the media post-match, Iraola said the midfielder’s position, in his eyes, is clear.The Liverpool boss stated: “Florian is very good, I trust him a lot. I have very little doubt [about him].”Similarly, when speaking in an interview earlier this weekend, former Reds man Klopp said Wirtz needs to play in the half spaces: “I think Liverpool, at least, have absolutely understood where he actually needs to play.

That is, of course, centrally in the half spaces, the pockets where he needs to operate.”Klopp’s claim was proven to be correct against Forest as while it wasn’t a world-beating 90 minutes, a lot of Liverpool’s best moments did come through Wirtz.Thankfully, unlike under Slot, Iraola’s post-match comments suggest we will see the £100m-plus player in that role a lot more going forward.Which, if he is able to build on Saturday’s performance in the coming weeks, should be great for Liverpool.Previously, it felt like Wirtz was being wasted when he was put onto the flank last season. But I don’t see how anyone can now say that he is not at his best when he’s playing in the middle in a sort of free-roaming role.Florian Wirtz’s role could be an issue once Hugo Ekitike is backBut that does beg the question, how will Iraola fit both Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak into the same team once the Frenchman is back from injury?He could switch to a 4-1-2-1-2 diamond and have Wirtz play behind the duo, but that would mean dropping wingers like Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola.Ekitike could also be used off the left, but that would most likely detract from the striker’s impact.For now, that is a problem for another day as the centre-forward is not expected to return until December at the earliest.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox