While it’s not time to panic, fans can only wonder what comes next when their expensive superstars do not perform multiple games into the season. In the case of Liverpool, it appears neither the supporters nor the management know how to get the likes of Alexander Isak or Florian Wirtz into the form the world knows they can reach. With the two players boasting the most expensive transfer fees in British club history, £125 million and £116.5 million, respectively, the international community has had its eyes on the Reds as they sit in third on the Premier League table, having dropped four games in a row. Wirtz has hit a meager zero goals and assists in his ten games so far for the club, with Isak bagging a singular score in a Carabao Cup match around a month ago vs. Southampton.

The Isak Issue

Players don’t always find the back of the net at the beginning of a new tenure. Still, the world is surprised, and maybe rightfully so, that the two signings expected to hand Liverpool the domestic title for a second year in a row have all but faltered in their efforts. Isak comes off a 27-goal season across all competitions, leading Newcastle to a Carabao Cup victory over his new side. The Swedish striker became a target for many clubs during the summer transfer window, as many suspected he’d want to chase domestic and international titles now. However, his time in red has faced scrutiny, as supporters and the community call for Hugo Ekitike, a summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, to start in the nine spot over him.

What To Do With Wirtz?

With Wirtz, the German midfielder has dazzled the world the last few seasons as a key instrument in Bayer Leverkusen’s 23-24 Bundesliga victory. The flashy 23-year-old not only helped secure the DFB-Pokal with Leverkusen but also had a respectable performance in the Euro 2024, bagging 3 G/A in a German campaign that ended in the quarterfinals. With Liverpool, Wirtz was seen as the signing of the summer by many before the Isak deal, yet he has now found himself in the news for reasons Liverpool fans did not expect. Given the infamous “007” mark, a nod to British fictional icon James Bond, Wirtz found no statistical success in the first seven matches. Supporters clung to the fact that the legendary Thierry Henry was once a 007 himself, yet ten games in, the hope faltered.

Scouser Solutions

So, what is the gaffer to do? Arne Slot has recently kept Wirtz on the bench to start, with Dominik Szoboslai taking his place back at centre-attacking-midfield as he did before this campaign. Isak has shared time with the Frenchman Ekitike, who has found significantly more success despite Isak arriving a couple of games into the season. Ekitike, coming off of 23 G/A in the Bundesliga last season, has netted three goals and one assist in seven Premier League games. The striker has already found himself in the hearts of many Scousers, making the case for Isak’s starting spot ever so harder.

It appears that Arne Slot must start the players performing and hope his new stars show why they have that status in the first place. Starting Ekitike regularly and reinstating Szoboslai for the time being may be the move, with the occasional Isak start and letting him ease into a role in which he can be 50/50 with his counterpart. In the case of Wirtz, the move may be to start him in the second half until he picks up form. Szoboslai has performed remarkably well, banging home a game-winning free kick in a 1-0 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates. Liverpool have faced injury and subparness at the right-back spot, with new signing Jeremie Frimpong, coming over from Leverkusen, underperforming, and Conor Bradley facing injuries and a lack of game time prior. Szoboslai has been slotted into right-back numerous times, which could be the answer when Wirtz is to be subbed on, therefore keeping the Hungarian’s hungry nature on the pitch and giving either Frimpong or Bradley a rest.

Reds worldwide are ready to see Liverpool in peak form, battling back up the table to claim a second Premier League victory in as many years and pick up their Champions League form. One can hope that the new signings can shine like the world knows they can, but they must wait and see how Slot decides to tackle the coming games and his players’ motivation.

Liverpool @ Eintracht Frankfurt, Champions League, 12pm PST

Liverpool travel to Frankfurt today to take on Ekitikie’s former club in a Champions League bout. Frankfurt come off a 5-1 loss in their last UCL match vs. Spanish-side Atletico Madrid, while Liverpool faced a 1-0 loss in their trip to Turkiyë, falling to Galatasaray. Both sides look to come back with a win, and it’s up for grabs considering the respective forms.

Here’s the Red’s predicted lineup for their UCL match-up today: 4-2-3-1

(GK) Giorgi Mamardashvilli, (RB) Jeremie Frimpong, (RCB) Ibrahima Konate, (LCB) Virgil Van Dijk, (LB) Andrew Robertson, (CDM) Dominik Szoboslai, (CDM) Curtis Jones, (CAM) Florian Wirtz, (RM) Mohamed Salah, (LM) Cody Gakpo, (ST) Hugo Ekitike

Writer’s Update

Liverpool took home a 5-1 victory over the German side, with Hugo Ekitike opening the Red’s scoring against his former club. With Frankfurt finding the first goal through striker Christensen, Ekitike’s equalizer was followed by two first-half goals, courtesy of the centre-back pairing of Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. The second half saw Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboslai finding the back of the net, securing Liverpool’s first win in five matches. While Alexander Isak was part of the starting lineup alongside Ekitike, it’s safe to say that the Frenchman once again stole the show. Slot and Co. will look to take the victory back to England, with a Premier League fixture at Brentford next on the cards.

Today’s lineup (I was wrong…): 4-4-2

(GK) Giorgi Mamardashvilli, (RB) Jeremie Frimpong, (RCB) Ibrahima Konate, (LCB) Virgil Van Dijk, (LB) Andrew Robertson, (RM) Florian Wirtz, (CM) Dominik Szoboslai, (CM) Curtis Jones,(LM) Cody Gakpo, (ST) Alexander Isak, (ST) Hugo Ekitike