Emile Heskey has warned Andoni Iraola he risks upsetting the balance of his Liverpool team if he affords Florian Wirtz too much freedom. The Germany star has enjoyed a productive international break under Jurgen Klopp, captaining the side for the 0-0 draw with Greece on Monday night while also scoring a sublime effort in the 2-0 win against Serbia last week.
Klopp's influence on Wirtz
Wirtz spoke last week about how conversations with new Germany boss Klopp have helped him and Heskey says he can see why the legendary ex-Reds manager would be a big help for any player.
But Heskey, who won the FA Cup, UEFA Cup and League Cup as part of Gerard Houllier's Liverpool squad 25 years ago, admits Iraola cannot upset the make-up of his team just to accommodate the £116m signing at present.
Structure over individual freedom
"You've got to remember that Jurgen Klopp is probably up there with the best of the best, so he knows how to get the best out of players," Heskey told 10Bet.
"He knows how players' minds work. He knows what they want and how they feel, and he's shown that time and time again - not just with Wirtz, but with every player that he's come across."
"That's why there are so many players that mention that they'd love to play under him, because they believe that he could understand them and get the best out of them."
"[But] if Iraola gave Wirtz that level of freedom, he would be changing his entire team structure for one player."
"Liverpool must figure out how to get the best out of him within the structure that the manager likes."
"A manager is always going to have a structure that he prefers and that he likes, and then he's got to figure out who fits where best and how he and the players around Wirtz can get the best out of him."
"So changing everything to suit one player is very tough, the balance of the team and the overall chemistry has to be prioritised."
Injury concerns ahead of City clash
The Reds return to action when they host Manchester City on Sunday afternoon (4.30pm).
Wirtz could yet be needed to play as a 'false 9' if forwards Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are ruled out with injuries sustained on international duty.
Iraola has given an update on the pair to beIN Sports. He said: "I think Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo both have had to leave the national teams with injuries. Now it's a matter of if they are going to recover in time to help us in the next game or not. But right now they are both injured."
