Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , former Liverpool midfielder Vladimir Smicer gives his thoughts on Liverpool's strength-in-depth following the transfer window and highlights Federico Chiesa as a "game-changer".
Elsewhere the Champions League winning midfielder insists that Wirtz will be a success at Liverpool, but explains he will need to show he's a warrior to do so!
Smicer has also assessed Liverpool's new attackers, Ekitike and Isak and whether both are in direct competition with one-another or if they could become striking partners.
Federico Chiesa
“Game Changer” Chiesa
With this squad, he looks like he'd be a super sub. But I love his energy and the work he can do in the last 30, or even 15 or 5 minutes. He can change the game.
He's a game-changer, and he's hungry to score. I like his emotions, and I remember him as a fantastic player for Juventus, for Italy. I think he's a very good player. But it's going to be difficult for him to be in the starting eleven because the competition for places is unbelievable.
However, If he continues to make an impact in the last 20, 30 minutes, then sooner or later he will get a chance to start a game. And if he takes this chance, he can play. I think he's an important part of the team.”
Florian Wirtz
Wirtz Will Be A Success!
At Leverkusen, everything revolved around him. At Liverpool, we play a slightly different system, and it seems he's currently searching for his space and best position within the team.
His performances in both the Champions League and Premier League are consistent, so you can't say he's only struggling in the Premier League and excelling in the Champions League.
The Premier League is the best league in the world, and Florian Wirtz is recognising the difference between Liverpool and his previous club. He is definitely a quality player with good touch and vision. However, as an offensive player who cost a lot of money, people, including myself, expected him to perform better for Liverpool.
Despite this, I still have confidence in him and hope he will soon show his full potential, find his rhythm, and combine better with his teammates. I loved what he showed in Germany and was very excited when he signed for Liverpool. I'm still excited that he's playing for us.
This Is Liverpool: “You Must Perform”
He's a fantastic player, and I believe he will show his quality sooner rather than later. He's a great player, and the pressure is certainly there, but that's part of the game.
The high transfer fee, of course, isn't his fault; it was a decision between the clubs. But this is the world of football, it's not always Christmas. This is war. Football games are war, and he must show he's a warrior.
He needs to demonstrate that he can play, even in the Premier League. I saw him in the game against Newcastle, where he was being tackled hard – that was a real test, a good test.
Like an old British game from the '80s or '90s, it was really tough. He seemed surprised that everyone was kicking him and giving him a hard time, but this is the Premier League, and I think he will adapt.
It will take some time, and he's taking his time, but the pressure is constant. This is the Premier League, you signed for Liverpool, a Premier League winner, for a lot of money. This is the pressure. You need to deal with that. I know this from my own experience. When I signed for Liverpool, I replaced Steve McManaman.
People expected me to replace him from the first game. It was difficult; I was under pressure. I felt the pressure, especially from the fans. But this is Liverpool, you need to perform. That's just how it is.
Alexander Isak
Isak’s Lack Of Pre-Season
It's definitely different to train alone or have personal training sessions compared to training with the team and being in the squad, playing pre-season games.
From what I've seen, you can see the difference between Alexander Isak and the other players on the team. They are at a different pace and have a different physique. He clearly needs to work hard to catch up after this preseason.
Unfortunately for him, the season has already started, and with Hugo Ekitike’s red card, he's played more games than he expected without a proper preseason. Again, I think he's shown in the Premier League how good he is, and it's just a matter of time.
I believe he will overcome his physical and conditioning deficits, and he'll be fine. However, you can see that a lot of small circumstances, some small details, I would say, are not working in our favour at Liverpool right now.
I see a lot of potential in the team, and I believe we will improve throughout this season.
I don't want to say we are underperforming, but you can see many players with much more potential. But these small details are present and are currently working against us a little bit. When everything comes together, then we will be strong again.
Hugo Ekitike
Ekitike “Surprise”
Hugo Ekitike has truly surprised me. While I'd seen him play in Frankfurt, his start for Liverpool was incredibly impressive. He's scored some wonderful goals, and his movement and technique are quite high-level – I really love that he's so skilful.
I believe his best position is centre striker, which is where he's been playing. It's going to be interesting, perhaps a good headache for the manager. We'll see. He could potentially try different positions, or maybe play behind another striker.
We'll have to see if he and Alexander Isak can play together; they will definitely have some games where they feature alongside each other.
It's a good problem to have, I think. It's great to have top strikers like Isak and Ekitike in the team. It's good for the team because with so many games in a season, I believe they will both find ample playing time. Sometimes they might even play together, or one might be rested.
It's beneficial for Liverpool to have two such strikers. Of course, it creates competition for both. Just because Isak cost more than Ekitike, it doesn't mean he'll play every game. It's about competition for a place, and that's what makes a player better. If you have to compete with Isak, I think that's fantastic.
If the competition is healthy and the players are mentally prepared for it, it will only benefit Liverpool.
Isak vs Ekitike
Arne Slot wouldn't want to create direct competition for a single spot. He wouldn't want to see two players fighting for one position. A better solution might be to see if, for example, Hugo can play on the wing, or if the two players can play together. No one wants a situation where two players are directly competing for the same spot.
However, competition is important. If you're guaranteed to play, you might become complacent, and your performance could suffer. Knowing that someone is behind you, waiting for you to make a mistake or play poorly, keeps your concentration much higher during training and game preparation.
This is why Liverpool built such a strong squad; players need to feel that competition for places. Initially, it might be uncomfortable and even affect your game, but you'll adapt. Throughout the season, the mentally stronger players will survive, play, and keep their places, which ultimately helps them to live a good life.
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