Liverpool have had problems, but against Everton, they showed a level of spirit and creativity that hasn’t been there for much of the campaign.
With Chelsea losing at home to Manchester United on Saturday, Liverpool knew they had a good chance to strengthen their position in the Champions League, and Virgil van Dijk’s 100th-minute header left Everton crestfallen in the first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
It feels like most of the Reds’ problems this season have been down to mental problems rather than technical quality. Failure to implement Arne Slot’s tricks and the harsh weather with buckets of rain this year.
The sweeping changes of the summer have also played their part, with Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak both tipping the scales behind big-money moves, but it’s clear that Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes will need to make changes again.
Liverpool are in talks to sign the Premier League star
Liverpool have struggled to direct their creativity this season, determined by the natural quality of the ball to be effective in the final third. This time around, Wirtz has found himself on top, but he’s still going to take Premier League opponents by the throat.
There have been inevitable comparisons to Ryan Cherki, who has excelled at Manchester City, and although circumstances have conspired against Liverpool’s German, he needs to do a lot more.
This is one of the most talented midfielders in the world, and the hope is that he will come good. Achieving that is up to him, but Liverpool could help by reorganizing their pitch.
According to transfer reporter Ben Jacobs, Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton has been shortlisted. A deep-lying midfielder, he has transformed Oliver Glasner’s title-winning project, and although Palace would like to keep him, he is expected to shell out £80m this summer.
The Eagles know he will be dreaming of Champions League football, and with Manchester United in third place also in the mix, FSG must quickly decide whether Wharton will be worth investing in.
According to Jacobs, Liverpool is one of the teams that have already opened negotiations about the move, including a preliminary investigation to discuss the terms of the agreement.
Why Adam Wharton could be a star at Liverpool
Some may have doubts about Liverpool signing a midfielder who lacks the kind of physicality that has not been in Slot’s engine room this term.
Liverpool were underweight, with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch both leaving a lot to be desired.
Liverpool may be in need of a fighting addition, but signing Wharton is too good an opportunity to pass up. Hailed as a “passing machine” in the middle of the park by journalist Henry Winter, he is the closest thing England have to a midfielder.
Wirtz isn’t the same type of player, but Wharton might add a more consistent passing structure to the Slot side. After all, he has created 11 big chances in the Premier League this season, while Wirtz has only created five in senior positions.
It’s not easy to adapt to the English game, and Wirtz will be better next season, but Wharton could be the solution that the position player was supposed to provide, change the center field and solve the problems that have plagued the Reds this year.
The Three Lions star is only 22 years old, as is Wirtz, and while the pair may have a great relationship, it is clear that Wharton would have had a bigger impact at Anfield this season than the former Bayer Leverkusen man, who joined for £115m.
Whether Liverpool take this forward at the end of the season remains to be seen, but this is the profile the Slot system needs to thrive. Maybe Wirtz could benefit as well.
Wharton is not an out-and-out playmaker, but instead a deep operator who helps direct play. When he’s on his A-game, he runs the show.
|
Liverpool’s Premier League Chance Creation |
||
|---|---|---|
|
The season |
90 goals |
90 possibilities |
|
25/26 |
1.6 |
2.7 |
|
24/25 |
2.3 |
3.9 |
|
23/24 |
2.3 |
3.4 |
|
22/23 |
2.0 |
3.3 |
|
21/22 |
2.5 |
3.5 |
The fact that he did this at Crystal Palace in the Premier League reinforces the view that he currently has a bigger talent than Wirtz, someone who can make a real difference to Liverpool from the outside.
He was a monster vs Everton: Liverpool just got a new Szoboszlai
Liverpool scored a famous victory over Everton in the dying embers.
