Following Liverpool's 0-0 draw against Fulham, former defender Steve Nicol has publicly urged manager Andoni Iraola to drop midfielder Florian Wirtz from the starting XI. Nicol, speaking on ESPN, expressed that Wirtz has not met expectations and should not be considered a guaranteed starter in the current setup.
"He’s not part of my front four," Nicol stated. The former Liverpool defender argued that the team would be more effective with a midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai. Nicol’s tactical critique centers on the belief that Szoboszlai’s ability to shoot from distance forces opponents to overcommit, thereby creating space for attacking players, a dynamic he feels is currently missing with Wirtz.
Since joining Liverpool in 2025 for a reported £116m fee, Wirtz has recorded 18 goal contributions (seven goals and 11 assists) in 54 appearances. His start to the 2026/27 season has seen limited output, with only one assist in five matches. Despite these struggles, reports indicate that Liverpool intends to allow Andoni Iraola the full 2026/27 season to integrate Wirtz into his tactical system.
While Liverpool maintains a long-term commitment to the player, Bayern Munich continues to monitor his situation. The German club, which expressed interest in Wirtz prior to his 2025 transfer, remains an admirer. However, there is no formal offer or active negotiation, with Liverpool showing no current intent to sell.
