The former Liverpool pair have been discussing Florian Wirtz’s role after the 0-0 draw against Leeds United.

Michael Owen has claimed that Florian Wirtz cannot continue being deployed as a wide player for Liverpool.

The Germany international signed for the Reds for a fee of £100 million from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer transfer window. Wirtz endured a soft launch to his Anfield career although he showed good signs of improvement throughout December.

He assisted Alexander Isak’s goal in a 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur before scoring for the first time in a 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, Wirtz struggled in the 0-0 draw against Leeds United on New Year’s Day. His performance was subdued, earning a 5/10 player rating from LiverpoolWorld, and he was substituted in the 66th minute.

Wirtz has been operating on the left flank, although he played in more of a central role for Leverkusen. And when Liverpool face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday, Owen reckons that Wirtz has to feature in the No.10 position if he does start.

What’s been said

The former Liverpool striker said on Premier League Productions: “It's easy to single out people. Conor Bradley had a quiet game for him, [Hugo] Ekitike started well but fizzled out in the second half. Wirtz, people keep telling him he's getting better, he's in top form - he's not. He's showing glimmers, flashes of brilliance which you'd expect. He's not a left-sider. He’'s not a wide player. For those people who come back and say he played on the left in Germany, he didn't.

“He played as a No.10, two No.10s - a bit like Manchester United with [Matheus] Cunha and [Bryan] Mbeumo - he played inside the pitch as a No.10. He didn't get chalk on his boots, he's not strong or quick enough to play as a wide player.

“He needs to play inside, [Cody] Gakpo needs to play on the left and if they're going to play Wirtz, he needs to play inside. Salah will come back on the right. It's so easy to be negative but it will come good in time, there are too many good players.”

Ex-Liverpool winger Steve McManaman reckons that head coach Arne Slot needs to find a way of getting Wirtz into his team centrally. He said: “When Florian plays on the right or the left, they look really unbalanced because he wants to drift centrally.

“You have to find a way of getting him in the team in the No.10 position and still having the width. Everyone wanted to play inside the pitch. The full-backs were passing the ball and running where the right or left winger was going to be. They were so congested that nothing was working.”

Wirtz’s fitness may have to be assessed ahead of the trip to Fulham, with Slot admitting that the 22-year-old was suffering a hamstring issue ahead of the Leeds game. Wirtz only trained one day before the encounter, so he could well be rested with Cody Gakpo making two substitute appearances since recovering from a muscle complaint.