‘I don’t see’: Steve Nicol believes that Florian Wirtz starting vs Man United depends on one thing
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Arne Slot has some big decisions to make ahead of a huge crunch game against Manchester United.Reds fans will be hoping that the international break came at a good time for them after losing three games on the bounce, with a big performance needed upon the return of Premier League football.Not only because they want to put things right and remain in the title race, but because they face Man United next, arguably the biggest game in their calendar. The Devils have not started the season off very well either, but a win in their last match may give them confidence heading into this one, especially given Liverpool’s run of form.
Florian Wirtz will be one player under significant pressure given his slow start to the season too, although this could be the perfect game for him to announce himself.However, with that said, former Red Steve Nicol believes that the German starting this game depends on one thing.Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty ImagesFlorian Wirtz will only start if Ibrahima Konate is availableA big worry over the international break is players picking up injuries, and Liverpool seem to have had a few scares since players went away.One star who went on international duty but came back early due to an existing problem was Ibrahima Konate, with the Frenchman hurting his quad against Chelsea.He was taken off as a precaution but it looks as if it is more of an issue than first thought, with the full extent of the issue still unknown.His injury could also have big implications for Wirtz too, with Nicol believing that if Konate does not play, then there is no chance Wirtz starts through the middle for the Reds.“Unfortunately, Arne Slot, like all of us, keeps thinking that it’s going to happen each week [that Wirtz will click into gear], but it’s not happening,” he told ESPN.“Coming off three defeats, do I think he’ll start again? No I don’t think he will.“If Konate is fit, there is a possibility Wirtz plays number 10.
If he’s not fit, then he’s going to have to move Gravenberch back and maybe play Endo.READ MORE: After Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool have another star coming through who’s even younger“You can’t play Endo and Wirtz. So if Konate is fit there’s a possibility Wirtz plays, if he isn’t, I don’t see any way you put Wirtz in the middle of the park.”Joe Gomez can cover at the backSlot certainly does not have a plethora of options to choose from, but he does still have Joe Gomez available if he needs him at centre-back.The Englishman would seem the obvious choice if Konate cannot play, but Slot has shown in the past that he is willing to go down other avenues.It was only against Chelsea where he moved Gravenberch back to centre-back instead of bringing on Gomez, suggesting the Dutchman might not fully trust his recognised centre-half.Either way, Slot has plenty of decisions to think about ahead of this one, although Wirtz will be hoping that any plan his boss has includes him.