Florian Wirtz Unveils His Dream Position: "This Is Where I Belong on the Pitch"

Liverpool's marquee signing Florian Wirtz has revealed his preference for operating in a central position, as questions mount regarding his place in Arne Slot's formation following a disappointing opening to the campaign.

The pressure has been immense on the £116 million ($154.6 million) acquisition after his high-profile summer transfer to Anfield, yet he now faces severe criticism for his lackluster performances in his debut season with the club.

The German international has yet to contribute a goal or assist across nine competitive matches for Liverpool this term, leaving the Merseyside club uncertain about how to maximize his talents. Slot has experimented with deploying him both as a number 10 and on the left flank, with neither approach producing the desired impact thus far.

While debate continues regarding Wirtz's optimal position in Liverpool's current system, the player has made his preference crystal clear.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Wirtz discussed his favored role while reflecting on his former youth mentors Martin Heck and Markus Daun, who guided his progression at FC Köln during his teenage years.

"[Heck] was consistently supportive, always encouraging us, particularly myself," Wirtz explained. "He granted me creative license on the field. He positioned me where I belonged, operating behind the striker in that number 10 role, and simply allowed me that freedom.

"Markus adopted the same approach. During my second season with the Under-17s, I even served as captain under his guidance. Both were coaches who instilled the belief I required, allowing me to express my natural game and reach my peak performance."

The 22-year-old has predominantly featured as a creative midfielder throughout his developing career, suggesting this remains his most effective role for Liverpool. Operating behind strikers like Hugo Ekitiké or Alexander Isak could yield significant benefits in the future.

Naturally, incorporating Wirtz and his offensive approach has disrupted Liverpool's tactical equilibrium, as they currently struggle with defensive stability and structure. The team has suffered three consecutive defeats and performed considerably below their previous season's benchmark.

Nevertheless, when utilized correctly, Wirtz possesses the capability to become Liverpool's game-changing asset going forward.