Overview

• Wayne Rooney said Florian Wirtz "harms the balance" of Liverpool and that he does not see where the midfielder fits into Arne Slot’s system.
• Rooney argued Wirtz is not a third midfielder in Liverpool’s setup and said he would select Dominik Szoboszlai ahead of him.
• Wirtz has yet to record a Premier League goal or assist since his summer move and remains short of a full 90-minute outing.
• Under Slot, the Germany international has been used primarily as an attacking midfielder and has been regularly substituted.
• Rooney noted Liverpool’s crowded attack after multiple summer additions and acknowledged Wirtz’s quality, saying he is a top player who should improve.