Liverpool
Wirtz: No.10 Is Where He Thrives as Liverpool Search for Balance
Florian Wirtz prefers the No.10 role; Liverpool still adjusting after three successive losses. still.
Florian Wirtz has made clear he prefers operating centrally as Liverpool attempt to settle a troubled start to the season. The Germany international has yet to record a goal or assist in nine competitive appearances this term, and his role under Arne Slot has become a recurring question.
Slot has alternated Wirtz between an attacking midfield berth and a left-wing role, but neither deployment has produced the expected returns. Liverpool have struggled to integrate Wirtz’s attacking instincts without sacrificing defensive stability, and the side have lost their last three matches while performing below the standards of the previous campaign.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Wirtz credited the youth coaches who shaped his game at FC Köln and explained the position that best suits him. “ [Heck] was just always there for us, motivated us, especially for me,” said Wirtz. “He gave me the freedom on the pitch. He put me in the position where I have to be, like behind the striker on the No.10 and just gave me the freedom.
“Markus was the same. There I was even captain in the second year in the Under-17s. They were coaches that gave me the confidence that I need, that I can just play my own game and be the best version of myself.”
The 22-year-old has most often been used as an attacking midfielder through his early career, and that central No.10 role looks the most natural fit for him at Liverpool. The club’s forward options suggest playing Wirtz behind Hugo Ekitiké or Alexander Isak could prove productive in the long term, but doing so will require Slot to find a balance that restores defensive cohesion and organisation.
For now, the conversation around Wirtz is twofold: where he is most effective on the pitch and how Liverpool can accommodate his style without compounding their current defensive issues.
Liverpool
Liverpool Rebuff Ajax Approach for Arne Slot as Ownership Signals Backing
Arne Slot was approached by Ajax but Liverpool ownership have confirmed he will stay in charge. 2026
Arne Slot was reportedly sounded out as a potential candidate to take charge of Dutch giants Ajax this coming summer. According to reporting, those enquiries were quickly unsuccessful, reinforcing Liverpool’s firm stance that Slot will remain manager.
The four-time European champions currently lie fourth in the Dutch league, 23 points adrift of champions PSV Eindhoven with only two matches of a miserable campaign remaining. Caretaker manager Óscar García is set to part ways with the club over the summer and the net of potential suitors has been cast by sporting director Jordi Cruyff. Mike Verweij of the Dutch publication De Telegraaf recently revealed that inquiries over Slot’s availability have been made by Ajax. They proved “futile.”
Verweij quoted sources who insisted: “Slot is still firmly in the driver’s seat; he’s just carrying on at Liverpool,” and added, “I also understand that Arne Slot isn’t particularly keen on joining Ajax at this point in his career.” Those lines of reporting underline a clear message from Liverpool and their decision-makers.
The club’s ownership has remained publicly unyielding even as performances have fallen from the title-winning campaign. “Fans get frustrated,” the head of Liverpool’s ownership company, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) told the Sports Business Journal this week. Boasting a majority stake in MLB franchise the Boston Red Sox as well as investment in NHL and NASCAR, Henry has developed a thick skin. “The Sox looked terrible for [their] first 25 games,” Henry continued. “I remember a plane flying overhead when we [Liverpool ] were beating Manchester United 7–0 that read ‘FSG OUT!’
“It doesn’t mean you ignore them, it means you work harder—you don’t settle for mediocrity. You have to win.”
Premier League statistics supplied in the report show the contrast between seasons:
2024–25: Games 38, Wins 25, Draws 9, Losses 4, Goals Scored 86, Goals Against 41, Goal Difference +45, Points 84.
2025–26: Games 35, Wins 17, Draws 7, Losses 11, Goals Scored 59, Goals Against 47, Goal Difference +12, Points 58.
Throughout FSG’s 16-year ownership of Liverpool, Henry has only sacked two managers: Roy Hodgson in January 2011 and Brendan Rodgers in October 2015 after a period of decline following the 2013–14 season.
Liverpool
Refereeing Calls and Costly Errors Defined Liverpool’s Day at Anfield
Slot blamed refereeing decisions and “stupid” mistakes as the defining themes of Liverpool’s season.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted the 3–2 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday exposed the two dominant strands of his team’s season: contentious refereeing decisions and a handful of “stupid” mistakes from his players. He challenged one pivotal decision but also accepted his side’s sloppy play gave the moment its opportunity.
“If it was a touch, which I think it is, because if you know a bit about ball sports, you know that if a ball has a certain curve and the curve changes, there must have been a contact,” Slot said. He added: “But if it’s light then we should have a debate in football about whether that’s enough to disallow a goal. But the rule is if there was a touch then it should have been disallowed.”
Slot insisted the pattern of contentious decisions has been a recurring theme this season. “I don’t think it’s a surprise to anyone this season that if there’s a VAR intervention or if there’s something that could be left or could be right then the decision goes against us. That has been the whole season every single time this season. I remember Paris Saint-Germain at home , getting a penalty for a soft touch on [Alexis] Mac Allister but of course the VAR intervenes and says, ‘No, no, no, this is not a penalty.’ Then one week later when I see Paris Saint-Germain play against Bayern Munich and get that same soft touch but the penalty stays.”
He contrasted incidents in which play was not stopped for injury with others where it was, and stressed self-examination. “We have to first look at ourselves, that is completely clear and obvious, but that decisions have gone every single game against us, that’s also completely clear and obvious.”
Slot noted moments of poor concentration and a turnover that led to the second goal: “we lost the ball in a stupid position and we lost a few big moments afterwards in duels.” The club appears settled on his future: his position is understood to be safe and Liverpool are keeping last season’s title in view. With Champions League qualification largely secure — six points clear with three games left — Slot must now map out how to correct the recurring faults exposed this campaign.
Liverpool
Isak Suffers Groin Setback but Slot Insists Recovery Will Be Short
Isak has suffered a groin setback after returning from a broken leg; Slot expects a short layoff…
Alexander Isak’s first months on Merseyside have been disrupted by injury and interrupted preparation. A disrupted preseason and a broken leg have prevented the striker enjoying a smooth debut campaign after his rise at St. James’ Park. He only recently returned from that major leg injury and, after a few sluggish outings, had appeared to be finding momentum again.
Isak scored his first Premier League goal at Anfield since he donned Saudi green for the Magpies, but he has suffered a fresh groin problem in training. The first reports of the issue emerged on Saturday and the knock was enough to rule him out of Sunday’s clash at Old Trafford. That absence followed a significant injury sustained at Tottenham Hotspur before Christmas, which ruled him out for the best part of four months.
Arne Slot spoke to Sky Sports before kick-off to outline the immediate impact on his squad and to express his frustration. He said: “After our last win against Palace, you go into the week and in the start you already know you’re going to miss out on Mo [Salah], and then during the week we miss out on Alex as well.
“But that’s not the first time this season. Arsenal away, we had our both No. 9s not available as well and we were able to play a good game. So, it is the situation to accept it.
“Of course, very unlucky and unhappy with the fact Alex picked up a small—really small—injury,” Slot fretted. “That’s why this game came a bit too early.”
Reports underline that the latest problem is not on the scale of his broken leg, and Slot has been optimistic about a swift recovery for his costly recruit. Isak had dealt with a few nagging issues at Newcastle, and those problems have not ceased since his move. Despite the setback and with just three Premier League games remaining, these comments suggest Isak’s season may still continue.
