Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney spoke about why Liverpool’s record signing Florian Wirtz has failed to ignite the Premier League since moving from Bayer Leverkusen. Wirtz has struggled to run into space and hasn’t been able to counter the intensive pressure that he is put under when with the ball. Rooney felt that the competition for attacking positions at Liverpool was affecting Wirtz and that all of the new signings combined mean that the club’s forward line isn’t cohesive at the moment. “I think he’s played okay, but when you sign so many players like Liverpool have, and they’ve signed basically a whole new front line while also having Mo Salah there as well, then they’re all competing,” Rooney said on the Wayne Rooney show. Rooney agreed that the German, one of the most important attacking players that the country has been able to unearth over the past few years, has ‘ability’ but also damages Liverpool whilst going forwards. “And I think Wirtz, he’s the one who’s probably not doing as well. He’s got so much ability but for me, I don’t see where he gets into the team. It was a lot of money and I think Wirtz actually damages the balance of Liverpool, how they play. But he’s a top player and I’m sure he will get better, of course he will. But he’s had a slow start and I think there’s no denying that.” The former Manchester United forward, who played in different positions during his time in the Premier League, and was one of the most versatile forwards ever, said that Liverpool’s other versatile option in Dominic Szoboszlai was a better option at the No 10 position. He continued: “I’ve seen players come into this league and it takes time. For me, it’s not the price tag, it’s not the player and his ability. I don’t see where he fits into what Liverpool do in that system. So, is he a third midfield player? For me, no, he’s more of an attacking player. So if I have to choose between him and Szoboszlai, then I choose Szoboszlai.”
