Florian Wirtz’s latest performance for Germany has sparked a big conversation around Liverpool. The German playmaker looked much more dangerous, confident and influential as Germany defeated Serbia 2-0, scoring a goal and playing a major role in the opening goal. (Reuters)
After the match, Wirtz highlighted something that Liverpool supporters should pay close attention to: movement.
The 23-year-old explained that the players around him made his job much easier because there was constant movement and everyone was willing to play forward. When teammates move intelligently around him, Wirtz gets more passing options, more space to receive the ball and more opportunities to attack defenders.
And that is exactly where the question for Liverpool begins.
How do you build the team around Wirtz so that he can consistently produce performances like this?
The first change could be keeping Wirtz closer to his preferred No.10 role. He has previously made it clear that playing behind the striker is his favourite and best position. Liverpool’s current manager Andoni Iraola has also indicated that he wants to use him there more regularly. (This Is Anfield)
The second piece is movement around him. Wirtz should not be expected to create everything by himself. The striker needs to constantly threaten the space behind the defence, while the wingers should make aggressive runs inside and outside. That movement can drag defenders away and create the little pockets where Wirtz is at his most dangerous.
Liverpool also need midfielders who can give Wirtz freedom rather than forcing him to constantly drop deep. Premier League tactical analysis has previously highlighted how playing a more defensively secure midfielder or No.10 alongside him allowed Wirtz to stay higher and attack spaces around the box. Curtis Jones, in particular, developed a strong passing connection with him during one productive spell. (Premier League)
There is another important detail: width.
When Liverpool stretch the opposition properly, Wirtz has more room between the defensive and midfield lines. That is where his close control, dribbling, vision and combination play can become extremely difficult to defend.
We have already seen evidence that Wirtz can thrive when Liverpool create the right conditions. Earlier in 2026, Premier League analysis noted that he became more effective when he stopped dropping so deeply and instead looked for pockets of space closer to the final third. (Premier League)
And then there is the message from Klopp.
After watching Wirtz produce a standout display for Germany, Klopp suggested that Liverpool should be very pleased with what they saw, praising the performance and the style of play that allowed the midfielder to flourish. (Liverpool)
So perhaps the answer isn’t simply asking, “What is wrong with Wirtz?”
Maybe the bigger question is:
“Are Liverpool giving Wirtz enough movement around him?”
Give him runners. Give him space. Keep him high. Create passing options around him. Let him drift into dangerous areas instead of constantly asking him to solve every problem himself.
Because when Wirtz has movement around him, we may finally see the player Liverpool believed they were signing.
And if that Germany performance is a sign of what is coming, Liverpool fans have every reason to be excited.
