Wirtz, Isak & Diomande shine at World Cup as Iraola plots Liverpool revival

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Wirtz, Isak & Diomande shine at World Cup as Iraola plots Liverpool revival Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola will have been been fascinated by day four of the World CupByPhil McNulty Chief football writer in DallasPublished31 minutes agoLiverpool's new head coach Andoni Iraola will use the World Cup as a fact-finding mission on the players he inherits as well as scouting those he could add to re-invigorate a squad that suffered a miserable defence of their Premier League title last season. And as the Spaniard settles in after succeeding sacked Arne Slot, Iraola will have had an intriguing day gathering intelligence as he had an interest in all games on day four of the tournament. So what will have caught Iraola's eye as he formulates his plots to revive Liverpool after arriving from Bournemouth?

Can Iraola release the real Wirtz? Florian Wirtz arrived at Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen last summer amid great fanfare in a then-British record £116m deal - but remained an enigma as he fell far short of expectations. Liverpool still have huge hopes for a gifted forward who has only just turned 23, which means one of Iraola's main tasks is to find a settled position for the German to release the talent he demonstrated before moving to Anfield.

The Details

This is why Iraola will have been intrigued by what he saw from Wirtz in Germany's 7-1 win against Curacao in their opening World Cup game. The context must be that this was against a side ranked 82nd in the world, but in the colours of his country and in favourable conditions, Wirtz showed some golden touches. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Florian Wirtz struggled at Liverpool last season but revelled in his freedom for Germany against CuracaoIn his first campaign at Anfield, Wirtz too often appeared a square peg in a round hole, playing in behind the strikers as well on the flanks, but never flourishing.

In Houston, Wirtz played on the left, perhaps giving Iraola food for thought, especially as Cody Gakpo had a poor season in that position, creating Germany's opening goal for Felix Nmecha with the sort of delicate touch and quick thinking that eluded him for much of last term. Wirtz had 39 touches in the final third, instrumental as Germany ran riot. Former England striker Chris Sutton, in Houston for Radio 5 Live, said: "The mitigation must be that this was Curacao, but the Liverpool fans who watched the game, especially in the first half, would be wondering if it was the same Florian Wirtz who played for them last season.

"He looked happy in a German jersey, at ease and playing with freedom. "Sutton added: "He was sharp off the left, drifting inside to play quick, incisive passes. He was creative and cunning.

What Experts Say

He looked unburdened. He was a real menace with Jamal Musiala. "Iraola will hope to lift the weight off Wirtz's shoulders at Liverpool.

Mixed fortunes for Iraola's Dutch trio Figure caption, 'Big goal from big player!

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