Liverpool Urged to Sign Specialist No.10 as Florian Wirtz Struggles
Liverpool should add another specialist No.10 despite their unbeaten start to 2026-27, with Florian Wirtz yet to deliver the consistent influence expected after his high-profile move from Bayer Leverkusen.
Key takeaways
- Wirtz has registered one assist in the opening weeks of the new campaign.
- The Germany international produced seven goals and seven assists in his first Liverpool season.
- Mohamed Salah departed on a free transfer after scoring 257 times across nine years at Anfield.
- Hugo Ekitike remains out while recovering from a serious Achilles injury.
- Liverpool are unbeaten this term but have lacked a regular central creative force.
Liverpool urged to deepen their attacking options
Former Reds defender Houghton believes Liverpool need two players capable of operating as a No.10, rather than relying on one creator to unlock opponents.
He said Liverpool have depth elsewhere in attack, with two strikers, four wide options and four central midfielders, but do not appear to possess sufficient cover in the advanced central role. In his view, that is the position where “magic” can change a match.
“If one No.10 is not doing it, you can bring in another,” Houghton said. “It will be interesting to see what the manager does. Everyone wants those players because they can be game-changers.”
Liverpool have watched Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal find attacking answers in the final third, with the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Cole Palmer setting the standard for influential central creators.
The need has become sharper following Salah’s exit. The Egyptian forward left at the end of his contract after nine memorable seasons and 257 goals, removing a defining source of goals and invention from the side.
Wirtz handed central chance
Wirtz arrived in England during the summer of 2025 after helping Bayer Leverkusen win the Bundesliga, but his output has fallen below expectations for a 23-year-old signed to become Liverpool’s chief creator.
He finished last season with seven goals and seven assists, then supplied only one assist at the start of 2026-27. Narrow calls and missed chances from team-mates have at times limited his return, but the midfielder is under growing pressure to contribute more regularly.
Houghton expects Liverpool’s wider shape to give Wirtz a better platform. He felt the team played too narrowly last season, with wingers moving inside and midfielders crowding central spaces.
Cody Gakpo, Victor Munoz, Rio Ngumoha and Bradley Barcola offer options to stretch the pitch from the flanks, potentially creating room between the lines for Wirtz. The German is also expected to receive more minutes in his preferred central position, rather than being moved to either wing as he was on occasions last term.
“Florian has to show that consistency now, match after match,” Houghton said. “With a big transfer fee and Liverpool’s expectations, supporters will ask questions if the performances and end product are not there.”
What happens next is likely to depend on whether Wirtz, and Liverpool’s existing attacking group, can assume the creative responsibility left by Salah. If that improvement does not arrive, another move for a No.10 could become necessary.
