Liverpool’s midfield performance has been a talking point after recent matches, with pundit Arsène Wenger suggesting that Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, operating in a No. 10 role, “destroyed” Liverpool’s central play. However, former German international and analyst Mario Slot has pushed back on this assessment, offering a more nuanced view of the match dynamics.

Speaking after the fixture, Slot emphasized that while Wirtz is undoubtedly a talented and influential player, attributing Liverpool’s midfield struggles solely to him oversimplifies the situation. “Wirtz is a quality player, no doubt,” Slot noted, “but Liverpool’s issues in the middle of the park stem from a combination of tactical choices, transitions, and defensive cohesion—not just one individual’s positioning.”

Slot highlighted that Liverpool’s midfield was exposed in certain phases, particularly when attempting to transition quickly from defense to attack. However, he argued that these lapses were structural rather than personal, suggesting that the team’s shape and pressing strategy left gaps that any top attacking midfielder could have exploited.

“Blaming Wirtz directly ignores the broader tactical picture,” Slot added. “He certainly contributed to some moments of pressure, but the midfield struggled due to spacing, communication, and timing. These are collective responsibilities.”

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has also previously acknowledged that facing dynamic attacking players requires adjustments from his midfielders, but he remains confident in his squad’s ability to adapt. Analysts like Slot maintain that isolated criticisms, while attention-grabbing, often overlook the systemic factors that influence match outcomes.

In conclusion, Slot’s perspective reinforces a broader understanding of football analysis: while standout performers like Wirtz can influence a game, systemic issues within a team’s setup are often more decisive than the impact of a single opposition player. Liverpool will now look to refine their midfield cohesion as they prepare for upcoming fixtures.