Liverpool
Liverpool weighing up solutions for Florian Wirtz after renewed criticism
Liverpool are considering tactical changes around Florian Wirtz as criticism mounts after a slow start.
Jamie Carragher has again turned up the pressure on Florian Wirtz, arguing that Liverpool should leave the $158 million attacker out of the side for upcoming matches.
The former Liverpool defender was left unimpressed by another subdued display and claimed the midfielder offers far too little in front of goal. Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said: “What Florian Wirtz is doing for Liverpool is not enough right now. He’s played 55, 60 games for Liverpool. If we were looking at [Bradley] Barcola, he has played four or five. You would want more but hold your horses. If you were critical of him, it would be over the top, but not the guy that has played 60 games.”
He was even more direct when assessing the player’s current place in the team. Carragher added: “He shouldn’t be in the Liverpool team right now. I don’t want to hammer Liverpool players. But we’re not saying this after five to 10 games, we’re saying this after 50 to 60 games.
“Wirtz never looks like scoring a goal. You don’t come away thinking he missed chances or he worked the goalkeeper. There was absolutely nothing where you thought he put someone through, or nearly scored. There’s absolutely no goal threat whatsoever.”
Supporters had been prepared to give Wirtz time during his first season, especially with Liverpool struggling under Arne Slot. But patience is now fading quickly. Across seven appearances this season, Wirtz has managed only one goal involvement, after producing 15 last term. For a club-record signing, that return is not enough to quiet the noise.
Liverpool have already persisted with him through difficult spells. He started 40 of 49 appearances in his first campaign, even when performances were short of the standard expected in domestic and European competition. What they have not yet tried, however, is removing him from the starting side.
That may become more realistic when Dominik Szoboszlai returns from injury. The Hungarian is the obvious alternative as a No. 10, and he offers more goal threat, having scored three times this season, as well as greater defensive security.
Another route would be to use Wirtz later in matches, when tired legs might suit his creativity. A wider shift is also possible. He has previously played on the left and right, and even as a false nine, though none of those roles are his first choice. With Liverpool carrying four natural left wingers and an opening still available on the right, a move there could be one way to ease the burden on a player still searching for rhythm.
Aston Villa
Premier League Gameweek 7 predictions: Chelsea tested at Everton, Leeds host Manchester United
Gameweek 7 brings Chelsea to Everton, Liverpool to Brentford, and Manchester United to Leeds on a busy weekend.
A fresh round of Premier League action arrives with Gameweek 7 beginning in Merseyside and ending in north London, and there should be no shortage of movement across the weekend’s fixtures.
Chelsea open the slate at Everton after a commanding 5-1 win over Bournemouth, a result Xabi Alonso described as a “complete performance” from his side. Jordan Henderson’s brace, along with goals from João Pedro and Morgan Rogers, has added to the sense that Chelsea are building momentum. Everton, though, have not lost in the league so far and remain difficult to beat at home, even if their recent record in this fixture favours the visitors only narrowly.
Liverpool travel to Brentford after a high-scoring midweek outing against LASK, while Manchester City will look to answer their own recent setback when Ipswich visit. Newcastle, meanwhile, face an Aston Villa side that appears to be settling after a mixed start, and Fulham meet Hull in a game that could be stubborn rather than open.
The south coast brings another notable contest as Bournemouth and Sunderland both come in after Thursday European wins. Brighton also return home after a convincing continental outing, although Crystal Palace’s strong league form means that match may be tighter than the table suggests.
Sunday’s headline fixture takes Leeds against Manchester United. United remain under scrutiny after a difficult start, and Elland Road is not the sort of venue that offers easy relief. Leeds have already shown enough resilience to suggest they can make life awkward again.
At the City Ground, Arsenal face a Nottingham Forest side that has made a habit of frustrating them on home soil. Forest have only one league win so far, but the numbers behind them suggest they are not far off a better return.
Tottenham close the round against Coventry, with the visitors arriving in confident mood after consecutive wins. Spurs are still searching for rhythm, but this looks like a chance to impose control if they can settle quickly.
Bournemouth
Alex Scott’s £100m valuation leaves Chelsea and Liverpool weighing their move
Bournemouth want £100 million for Alex Scott, forcing Chelsea and Liverpool to judge the midfielder’s value.
Bournemouth have reached the point where they are prepared to let Alex Scott go, but only on their terms. According to BBC Sport, the club would consider offers as early as January if a bidder is willing to meet a fee of £100 million for the midfielder.
That figure has sharpened attention from across the Premier League. Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City are all credited with interest, while Chelsea are understood to remain strongly involved. Liverpool are viewed as Chelsea’s nearest rivals for his signature, turning the discussion into a simple one: does Scott justify a nine-figure outlay?
Bournemouth’s position is shaped by both the player’s development and the market around him. Their record sale remains Antoine Semenyo’s £64 million move to Manchester City last January, so Scott would need to go far beyond that benchmark. Club discussions with the player’s representatives have reportedly led to an acceptance that an exit next year could happen, but only for a record-breaking sum.
Scott is described as a modern midfielder, built on work rate, agility and tactical intelligence. Nicknamed the ‘Guernsey Jack Grealish’ because of his roots in the English Channel and his centre-parting, the comparison ends there. He covers ground relentlessly, having run 61.3 miles last season, the most of any Premier League midfielder according to FotMob.
That sort of athletic profile is increasingly prized. Of the 10 most expensive Premier League signings this summer, seven were defensive or central midfielders. Bournemouth can point to that trend, along with fees paid for players such as Enzo Fernández, Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali, when defending their valuation.
Chelsea’s interest is easy to understand, particularly with Xabi Alonso still needing midfield additions despite the arrival of a 36-year-old Jordan Henderson. Liverpool’s case is more nuanced, with Scott’s relationship with Iraola potentially offering an advantage. “He’s a great head coach, a great person,” the Cherries Player of the Season said of his former manager. “He has helped me a lot and improved me a lot, so obviously I am going to be grateful for him.”
Even so, a January deal of this scale would be exceptional. Only two players in football history have moved for more than £100 million in a winter window, Philippe Coutinho and Fernández.
Analytics & Stats
Liverpool’s winger decision looks exposed as Barcola struggles and Gordon thrives
Liverpool’s winger debate is already under scrutiny as Barcola struggles and Gordon delivers quickly.
Liverpool’s summer wide-man debate is already looking awkward. The club came close to matching their transfer record for Bradley Barcola, yet the early returns suggest Anthony Gordon may have been the more convincing option.
Barcola is beginning to resemble another expensive attacking question mark. With Mohamed Salah not even drawing the main spotlight, the winger has yet to register a goal or assist this season, and his output has been well below expectations. That stands in sharp contrast to Gordon, who has settled quickly after his move to Barcelona.
The numbers are hard to ignore. Gordon has produced six goal contributions in nine appearances for a new club in a new league, a strong return given the circumstances. He also added four goal contributions in three England appearances during the international window, while Barcola finished with none for France.
Andoni Iraola, though, is refusing to lose faith. “Sometimes we have to focus not just on the numbers,” the Liverpool manager said on Tuesday. He added that he has “100% trust” in both Barcola and Wirtz. “Bradley and Florian have had good games, bad games this season, but we know their level, and we are sure they’ll give us good performances.”
The comparison is strengthened by the broader statistical split. Barcola has made 10 appearances, played 511 minutes, and still has no goals or assists. Gordon, across 13 appearances and 775 minutes, has five goals and five assists, alongside stronger underlying figures in expected goals, expected assists, big chances created, successful dribbles and touches in the opposition box.
There was logic to Liverpool’s interest in Gordon. Born and raised in the city, he came from a Liverpool-supporting family and had spent five years there as a young child before his professional breakthrough at Everton. Liverpool needed help in replacing Salah, while Gordon was looking for a step up from Newcastle United.
Barcelona moved first, announcing his signing on May 29. The British club also tried to intervene, but, as reported, they were “late to the party”. With add-ons, Gordon’s move could rise above $93 million, while Barcola’s could reach $163 million.
For now, the better deal is clear. Barcola may still find the Champions League more forgiving than domestic football, starting with LASK and then Villarreal at Anfield.
