Liverpool’s latest acquisition, Florian Wirtz, has found his start at the club rather challenging as he yet to score or assist for his new club.
Following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s summer departure, Conor Bradley’s initial excitement may well have been tempered by Jeremie Frimpong’s swift recruitment as Alexander-Arnold’s successor. Despite his bench appearances against Newcastle and Liverpool being potentially attributed to recovery from a hamstring setback, Bradley’s future seemed increasingly tenuous as Dominik Szoboszlai held onto the right-back position for the match against Burnley, even after Bradley’s international starts for Northern Ireland.
Prior to acquiring Frimpong, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher had advised against signing a new right-back. He lauded Bradley, stating: “When Liverpool have had Conor Bradley in the team this season, he’s looked the real deal, and I don’t think the right-back market this summer is alive with lots of amazing right-back options.” Carragher suggested Bradley should be given a chance, with Liverpool signing a versatile defender akin to Joe Gomez.
From the heights of tackling Kylian Mbappé in Real Madrid’s defeat at Anfield last season, with some even suggesting Bradley should start over Alexander-Arnold, the academy graduate now faces challenges in the form of Frimpong and Szoboszlai for a spot in the squad.
Frimpong, dealing with injury, also finds himself on the bench, unsure of Slot’s intentions. However, Szoboszlai is a constant feature. He’s fulfilled every minute in the Premier League this season, impressively handling both midfield and right-back duties with energy and defensive prowess.
Arsenal boss, Slot, remarked post-match: “He has always been a player that understands what a Liverpool player should look like. If you wear this shirt, you should give everything, no matter the position.”
Slot seems unlikely to drop Szoboszlai, who epitomises Liverpool in his eyes. The question remains whether Szoboszlai continues in defence or resumes midfield duties, potentially displacing Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, or perhaps, Florian Wirtz.
Wirtz, who made a £100 million move to Liverpool, has faced scrutiny from the German press following a lacklustre start. The Burnley match might represent his last opportunity to cement his place in Slot’s starting XI. With Szoboszlai’s star rising, Wirtz’s place in the team looks increasingly precarious.
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