Liverpool big-name player set to miss out as new Florian Wirtz claim made
Arne Slot is set to make several key decisions across the pitch when Liverpool take on Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday.
Alexander Isak took part in his first Liverpool training session on Wednesday, but the striker is not expected to be named in the starting XI for the trip.
Slot’s side will be looking to make it four Premier League wins from four, with the Reds hoping to tighten their early grip on the league’s top spot.
Liverpool are expected to beat Burnley, but the champions cannot afford take the Premier League new boys for granted.
Mohamed Salah has scored just one goal against Burnley in 10 previous meetings, and the Egyptian has never scored at Turf Moor.
Don Hutchison makes Florian Wirtz claim ahead of Burnley clash
Jeremie Frimpong picked up a hamstring injury against Bournemouth on the opening day, but the right-back is expected to be back in contention for the Burnley match.
The Dutchman’s return is set to hand Slot another selection headache, with Dominik Szoboszlai performing well on the right of defence against Newcastle United and Arsenal.
Frimpong’s return to the starting line-up would see the Hungary international out of the team, unless his manager finds another way to fit him in.
Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister were partnered behind Florian Wirtz against Arsenal, and both players are expected to retain their places in the team.
That could see Wirtz miss out in place of Szoboszlai instead, with the German struggling to make an impact in the Premier League so far this season.
Don Hutchison told ESPN on Wednesday 10 September that Slot could set up his team in a different way, however.
“I don’t think Liverpool now have got a stronger starting XI because every single week, as I said before, there’s going to be someone in the side, or out the side,” the former Reds midfielder said.
“And these are big name players like Mac Allister as I said, we’ve not even mentioned Cody Gakpo – who you would’ve thought, and he’ll start at the weekend against Burnley, guaranteed.’
“He’s now got a fight on if I think Florian Wirtz might have to be shoehorned in to play on the left-hand side. Liverpool’s bench this season is going to be unbelievably stacked.”
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Arne Slot needs to make huge Florian Wirtz call
Given the ability Wirtz undoubtedly possesses, Slot will likely attempt to play him into form as much as he can.
But should it come at the detriment of the team, the Dutchman may be forced into making a big decision.
Gakpo has started the season incredibly well, surely featuring among Liverpool’s most in-form players having bagged key goal contributions in the matches against Bournemouth and Newcastle United.
| Premier League 2025/26 | Florian Wirtz | Dominik Szoboszlai | Cody Gakpo |
| Appearances | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Goals | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Assists | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Szoboszlai, too, proved crucial to the win over Arsenal and does not deserve to be dropped to persist with Wirtz, despite the German’s huge price tag.
Slot will not have to weigh up whether he wants to reward form, or bank on his big-money signing finally finding his feet.
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