Wirtz Impresses on Liverpool Debut, but Forces Szoboszlai into Shock New Role
Liverpool’s pre-season campaign is already throwing up surprises. In a convincing 5–0 win over Stoke City during a behind-closed-doors friendly at the AXA Training Centre, all eyes were on new signing Florian Wirtz, who made his first appearance for the club — albeit in an unofficial setting. While the result was emphatic and Darwin Núñez stole the headlines with a first-half hat-trick, it was Wirtz’s positioning and its consequences that sparked the biggest talking point.
The 21-year-old German international, who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in a high-profile summer move, was deployed as Arne Slot’s central attacking midfielder — the No.10 role. His inclusion in the middle of the pitch shifted the balance of the lineup and prompted an unexpected reshuffle elsewhere, most notably affecting Dominik Szoboszlai.
Slot opted for a front four that featured Ngumoha on the left, Mohamed Salah on the right, and Núñez leading the line, with Wirtz operating just behind. Supporting them in midfield were Curtis Jones and youngster Trey Nyoni, showing a mix of experience and youth.
The most surprising decision, however, came in the backline — where Szoboszlai was used as a right-back, a role he has rarely, if ever, played at the top level. With Trent Alexander-Arnold’s recent departure leaving a vacancy in that position, Slot seems to be testing creative solutions to fill the void. The rest of the defense included Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez in central defense, Andy Robertson on the left, and new goalkeeper Giorgio Mamardashvili between the sticks.
Szoboszlai’s repositioning raises significant questions about his long-term role in the team. Since joining from RB Leipzig in 2023 under Jürgen Klopp, the Hungarian midfielder has been a consistent performer, clocking nearly 100 appearances for the club. But with Wirtz now seemingly occupying his preferred position as the attacking playmaker, Szoboszlai may be forced to adapt.
According to reports from The Liverpool Echo, his deployment at right-back may not be a one-off. With Slot looking to integrate both Wirtz and Szoboszlai into the squad, it’s possible that the Hungarian could be trialed in multiple roles — either as a deeper box-to-box midfielder or even as a temporary right-sided fullback in possession-based systems. Against defensively compact teams, there’s also the possibility of fielding both players in dual No.10 roles, allowing Liverpool to overload central spaces creatively.
The tactical dilemma highlights the challenges and opportunities Slot faces in his second season at Anfield. After becoming the fifth manager to win the Premier League title in his debut campaign, he’s now tasked with evolving the squad further — particularly following the exits of key figures like Alexander-Arnold and long-serving backup players.
Liverpool’s pre-season tour will soon take them to Asia, where they will face AC Milan in Hong Kong next Saturday, before heading to Japan. The club will play Yokohama F. Marinos at the Nissan Stadium, marking their first appearance in Japan since the 2005 Club World Championship final defeat to São Paulo under Rafael Benítez.
With fresh faces, tactical experimentation, and positional surprises already making headlines, Liverpool’s summer preparations are shaping up to be as intriguing as the season to come.
