Arne Slot tells two Liverpool midfielders: There’s only room for one of you

Liverpool opted to purchase Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen during the summer transfer window for what was then a British record sum that could reach £116m.

Arne Slot gave Wirtz an impressive sales pitch - which detailed his plans to use the Germany international as the team’s central playmaker.

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Although capable of drifting in from the left, the 22-year-old has so far been used by the Reds’ head coach in the No10 position.

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The previous incumbent - Dominik Szoboszlai - has managed to keep his place in the team so far this season but that may owe more to circumstances elsewhere in the lineup.

Szoboszlai stays in the team

For example, on matchday one, Slot utilised the Hungary captain in a deeper midfield position to cover the suspension of Ryan Gravenberch.

In the next two fixtures, the 24-year-old was fielded at right-back - due to injuries for both Conor Bradley and new signing Jeremie Frimpong.

Those absences have spared Slot an awkward call over Szoboszlai and his performances across the opening month of the season have been impeccable.

But it does mean that another Liverpool favourite could be under threat for his starting position.

Mac Allister is struggling

Alexis Mac Allister, 26, has been at Liverpool since 2023 and was an integral part of the 2024/25 Premier League title win.

But the Argentina World Cup winner missed the last two games of the season due to injury - and did not enjoy a full preseason campaign either.

Mac Allister hasn’t finished either of the two Premier League matches he’s started this season - and was absent completely for the win away at Newcastle.

Arne Slot is unlikely to field Macca from the start against Burnley on Sunday - and is setting the No10 up for a one-on-one battle with Szoboszlai for a place in his preferred XI.

It's going to be Mac Allister v Szoboszlai

“Ideally Slot would want to include all four of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Wirtz in his team,” a report in the Athletic reads.

“Yet from a midfield perspective, four doesn’t fit into three spaces. The solution for the Burnley game may be to rest Mac Allister, who played 90 minutes for Argentina in Ecuador on Wednesday.

“Liverpool have learned the hard way that he can struggle on his return from international duty but, after that, it feels like the battle will be between him and Szoboszlai for the No 8 shirt.”

So the upcoming battle will mean either Szoboszlai or Mac Allister settling for a back-up role. Right now you imagine the shirt is Szoboszlai’s to lose.

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