Sensational wonderkid is ready to replace Florian Wirtz at Liverpool

An exciting wonderkid is ready to replace Florian Wirtz, even if it would be a surprise.

The German has found himself under a bit of pressure at Anfield lately. Florian Wirtz arrived with huge expectations and was supposed to be the next superstar to light up Liverpool.

But things haven’t quite gone to plan.

He’s struggled to really find his place in Andoni Iraola’s system and hasn’t always looked comfortable with the pace and physicality of English football. That’s left Iraola with something of a headache.

Because of the money Liverpool spent on him and the hype surrounding his arrival, the Reds can’t just give up on Wirtz. They have to keep backing him and hope things click.

But how long can that patience last? Especially when Bayern Munich are reportedly keeping a close eye on the situation and would seemingly be more than happy to take advantage.

Why Florian Wirtz is struggling tactically at Liverpool

Wirtz is at his best when he can operate between the lines, drift into the left half-space and receive the ball facing goal. He likes combining with runners, finding pockets and then making the final pass or arriving around the box.

At Liverpool, though, he can sometimes end up occupying spaces that are already taken. With the left winger pushing inside, the No.9 occupying the central channel and the midfielders wanting to carry the ball forward, Wirtz can become another player looking for the same space rather than the player connecting everything.

There is also a transition issue. Iraola wants intensity without the ball, aggressive pressing and quick attacks. Wirtz is an intelligent presser, but Liverpool’s current midfield balance can leave him having to do more defensive work than ideal.

That means his best qualities aren't always being maximised. Instead of receiving between the lines and dictating attacks, he's often being asked to play quicker, wider or deeper than he naturally wants to.

Liverpool's surprise solution to replace Wirtz

The simple truth is that Iraola's system doesn't really suit Wirtz. Iraola's previous no.10s have all been goal-scorers. Just take a look at Eli Junior Kroupi or Antoine Semenyo - they both functioned as great players off the ball and were goal-scorers rather than connectors and creators.

It's why the obvious solution for Iraola is to replace Wirtz with Lewis Koumas.

Yes, the Welshman doesn't have those refined and technical qualities that Wirtz does. But he works extremely hard, which will make Iraola's system better and it will take some of the load off the midfield and the attack in the press.

Wirtz may be the better player, but Koumas is ready to come in and replace him and he might just be a better fit.