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Andoni Iraola<\/a>, too his credit, has persisted with Florian Wirtz<\/a> in his Liverpool<\/a> starting lineup thus far, the German starting all five Premier League games in 2026\/27.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There is a growing consensus that for all the 23-year-old’s work out of possession, however, his lack of end product should ensure he loses his place in the near future, with just one assist to his name so far.<\/p>\n Allowances were made for his slow start across his debut season, having registered only eight league goal involvements, but considering the size of the transfer fee, the Reds would be right to be demanding far more from their \u00a3116m signing<\/a>.<\/p>\n Perhaps it is still too soon to be writing the playmaker off just yet, but there is the question as to how Iraola and Julian Ward might replace the former Bayer Leverkusen man, be it with an internal or external solution.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There is a sense that Wirtz may well have walked away with a far more healthy return last term, had opportunities been finished off by those around him, although he still only created five of what would be considered ‘big chances’.<\/p>\n The contrast to the Premier League’s leading playmakers was stark, with Bruno Fernandes, for instance, creating 33 ‘big chances’ over at Old Trafford last season.<\/p>\n As for the new campaign, Wirtz is yet to create a single ‘big chance’ and ranks down in 21st place in the division in terms of general chances created, a poor return for the man meant to be the creative hub of Iraola’s side.<\/p>\n 25\/26 – Big Chances created<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n Player<\/p>\n<\/th>\n Big Chances Created<\/p>\n<\/th>\n Assists<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n Bruno Fernandes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 33<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 21<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Rayan Cherki<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 19<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 12<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Declan Rice<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Jarrod Bowen<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 16<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Y\u00e9remi Pino<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 15<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Dominik Szoboszlai<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 14<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Adam Wharton<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 14<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Enzo Le F\u00e9e<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 13<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Morgan Rogers<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 13<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n J\u00e9r\u00e9my Doku<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 13<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n The issue for the new boss is that there isn’t a clear, standout alternative to the German in that number ten role, not least having sent Harvey Elliott out on loan again to Valencia.<\/p>\n Dominik Szoboszlai is perhaps the closest thing the Reds have to another senior, attacking midfielder, although even then, the Hungarian appears at his best as a rampaging, all-action number eight.<\/p>\n Perhaps it might require Alexis Mac Allister to shift into a more advanced role, having flourished in that regard back at Brighton, while a more wildcard move would be to relocate one of Iraola’s widemen, be it Bradley Barcola or Rio Ngumoha.<\/p>\n There are those in the academy to be getting excited, including England youth star, Erik Farkas, but it may well take a January signing for Liverpool to properly oust Wirtz from his starting berth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Richard Hughes has no doubt faced criticism for the way this squad has been assembled in recent years, although the Merseysiders now have a new face to look to in the form of Julian Ward.<\/p>\n The returning Englishman has been confirmed as the successor to Hughes in that sporting director role, having previously held the position across the 2022\/23 season.<\/p>\n A priority for Ward will be sorting out the contract situation of a string of high-profile Liverpool stars, including young Ngumoha<\/a>, yet transfers will also be on the agenda too.<\/p>\n\n How Liverpool can replace Wirtz in the short-term<\/strong>
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