John Barnes urges Liverpool to build tactics around Florian Wirtz

Liverpool legend John Barnes has identified German playmaker Florian Wirtz as his favourite player at the club, suggesting the team must restructure its tactics to maximize his impact.

Barnes argued that Liverpool has previously struggled to utilize Wirtz effectively because the squad contained too many players with similar roles, such as Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike. He drew a comparison to Manchester United, noting that the Red Devils build their play around Bruno Fernandes. Barnes stated that if Liverpool adapts to play through Wirtz, the midfielder could replicate the high productivity levels seen by Fernandes.

The comments follow a period of transition for the club, including a fifth-place Premier League finish in the 2025-26 season and the departure of manager Arne Slot.