Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have given Liverpool's new manager Andoni Iraola a glimpse of what he truly has at his disposal, as both players impressed during the opening week of the World Cup.
Mixed Emotions for Iraola
Andoni Iraola's emotions must resemble clothes in a washing machine. Watching the opening week of the World Cup will have made his stomach churn from a combination of excitement and exasperation. Was the Florian Wirtz who cruised through Germany's opening game with class and distinction the same midfielder he has inherited at Liverpool? And who is this lethal forward Sweden have in their ranks, in the shape of Alexander Isak?
Isak's performance in Sweden's demolition of Tunisia will have been a new experience for the supporters of the club Iraola has just taken charge of. If Iraola is using the tournament as a fact-finding mission, then he is learning new things all the time.
Solving the Wirtz Conundrum
Wirtz remains his biggest and most expensive conundrum. A square peg in a round hole at Anfield, but a crucial cog in a potentially well-oiled international machine in the shape of Julian Nagelsmann's German outfit. Slot made Wirtz the most expensive British signing at a cost of £116m, before usurping him with Isak a few weeks later. But Wirtz has proved about as much value for money as a trip to one of FIFA's World Cup Fan Zones.
The solution might be simple. Nagelsmann uses Wirtz on the left. He had almost 40 touches in the final third against Curacao, one of which set up his side's opening goal. It was a simple but sublime contribution. Wirtz needs to feel comfortable and settled. He needs to know those around him bring out the best in him. He likes drifting in from the left to find pockets of space and inflict danger on defences. He sees runs and opportunities. Opportunities for Isak next season, Iraola will hope.
Isak's Redemption
Isak is a different equation, but no less of a problem to be solved. The Swede cost a fortune, but delivered cheap performances once he got fit. Iraola will be thrilled to see Isak showing the kind of form which persuaded Liverpool to spend £125m on someone who had been on strike at Newcastle. And paid the price for doing so. He was menacing against Tunisia. He looked quick, fit, fresh and back to the forward he is capable of being.
Iraola will want this to continue. He would never admit it, but the Spaniard will hope Isak uses the biggest stage of all to find himself again, before taking that feeling back to Anfield. Forwards need one kind of fuel: confidence. And with Hugo Ekitike missing until 2027 with an Achilles problem, Liverpool need Isak like never before.
Looking Ahead
Which versions of Wirtz and Isak turn up come the start of the new Premier League season remains to be seen. But on recent evidence, Iraola knows there is no reason why he cannot welcome back the current ones.
