Liverpool starter blasted after ‘shocking’ display, fans now expect new Florian Wirtz role vs Everton
Liverpool supporters have slammed one of their first-team players despite their 3-2 Champions League triumph over Atletico Madrid and predicted it to lead to a new role for Florian Wirtz..
At Anfield on 17 September, Liverpool successfully defeated Atletico Madrid, thanks to Virgil van Dijk’s late winner.
The Reds raced to an early 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah, but Marcos Llorente’s brace levelled the scores at 2-2.
However, Van Dijk rose highest to head home from a stoppage-time corner and secure a vital win for Liverpool over Atletico Madrid.
Arne Slot backed to tweak his Liverpool team for Everton showdown on Saturday
Arne Slot’s men are now preparing for their Merseyside Derby clash with Everton at Anfield on Saturday, 20 September.
Meanwhile, the Reds’ win over Diego Simeone’s side witnessed striker Alexander Isak make his Liverpool debut, although the former Newcastle United man failed to score before being replaced by fellow summer signing Hugo Ekitike on 58 minutes.
In their next Champions League game, the Merseyside outfit face Galatasaray on 30 September.
The Turkish Super Lig side travel to Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday, 18 September, in search of their first win of the European campaign.
Meanwhile, Reds legend Jamie Carragher was wowed by Virgil Van Dijk’s performance against Atletico Madrid.
Alongside his match-winning goal, the Liverpool captain completed more passes than anyone else involved in the fixture, while he also helped to keep Atletico star striker Antoine Griezmann quiet.
But while Van Dijk was impressive, the Anfield faithful were left unhappy with Cody Gakpo‘s showing against the Spanish giants.
Liverpool fans tear into Cody Gakpo for poor showing against Atletico Madrid
While Liverpool enjoyed a triumphant start to their Champions League campaign, Gakpo failed to impress before being subbed off just shy of the hour mark.
One supporter said on X: “With Gakpo’s form and us needing stability, the play is to go back to our old midfield, and play Wirtz on the left wing for now.”
Another fan remarked: “Apart from the opening 10 minutes Salah was awful again. It’s very worrying. Gakpo was poor again as well.”