Liverpool’s 2025/26 season has been, at times, a frustrating watch. The Reds started the year with a strong run across all competitions, creating optimism that Arne Slot’s side could challenge on multiple fronts.
But that early momentum has been interrupted by a string of disappointing results, beginning with a 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace, followed by further losses that have now left the team in a precarious position both domestically and in Europe.
What has been particularly puzzling this season is that Liverpool’s struggles on the pitch do not reflect the sheer talent available to Slot. The club invested heavily during the summer transfer window, reportedly spending over £400 million on new arrivals such as Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
Expectations were high that these signings would bring a noticeable shift in how Liverpool played, adding both firepower and tactical flexibility to a team that already possessed world-class talent.
Yet, Wirtz has not consistently delivered the impact many hoped for, despite his £116 million price tag. The German international has shown glimpses of brilliance, particularly when deployed in a free midfield role, but Slot has frequently rotated him around the pitch in search of the position that best suits him.
The lack of positional stability has arguably hindered Wirtz’s ability to settle fully into Liverpool’s system, with the midfielder often struggling to make a consistent mark in games where he has been asked to play out of position.
Against Chelsea, however, Wirtz’s quality was evident. His movement, creativity, and ability to find pockets of space in midfield allowed him to dictate play in ways few other players in the squad can. Slot’s use of Wirtz in these central, free roles highlighted the player’s strengths and provided a blueprint for how he might be best utilized going forward.
Unfortunately, these flashes of brilliance have been intermittent, and Wirtz was once again dropped to the bench against Manchester United. Even so, when he came on, he provided a spark that Liverpool desperately needed in an otherwise lackluster 2-1 defeat at Anfield, demonstrating both his potential and the frustration surrounding his integration.
Meanwhile, the departure of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich continues to generate discussion among fans. The Colombian winger, who left for £65.5 million, had been a key contributor for Liverpool in previous seasons, offering pace, creativity, and versatility on the left flank.
His exit has led some to question whether Liverpool’s attacking potency has been compromised. However, experts argue that the focus should remain on optimizing the performance of new signings rather than dwelling on the talent that has been lost.
Steve Nicol, speaking on ESPN, weighed in on the debate between Wirtz’s integration and Diaz’s exit.
“I think it’s more annoying when you spend a lot of money on somebody and it’s not working because then you have to figure it out at the end of the day,” Nicol said.
“Your attitude has to be, ‘He was great for us (Luis Diaz). He’s now gone. He’s playing somewhere else. Good luck to you, and forget about it. So the Diaz one shouldn’t annoy you. You’ve got to look at what you’re dealing with and forget everybody else or anybody else. So, it would have to be the first one.”
Despite these hurdles, there are reasons for optimism. Wirtz’s cameo against Manchester United showed that he can influence matches when given the right environment and role. If Slot can establish consistency in how Wirtz is deployed, while integrating other key signings effectively, Liverpool could begin to see the payoff from their massive summer investment.
How Slot manages him and the wider squad over the coming months will likely determine whether Liverpool can overcome their current difficulties and compete for major honours or continue to struggle under the weight of expectation and investment
