“Not With Him In The Team!” — Enzo Maresca Drops Liverpool Bombshell Amid Shock Anfield Links
The football world is still reeling from the explosive New Year’s Day departure of Enzo Maresca from Chelsea, but the Italian tactician is already turning heads with a series of “unguarded” comments regarding his next move. While rumors heavily link him to a potential successor role for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, a fresh—and far more controversial—story has emerged involving Liverpool.
In a sensational revelation that has sent shockwaves through Merseyside, Maresca reportedly laid down a brutal ultimatum when asked about the possibility of ever managing at Anfield.
The Ultimatum: “He Goes, Or I Don’t Come”
According to sources close to the Italian manager, Maresca’s tactical philosophy is so rigid that he believes certain profiles simply “poison” his system. When the topic of Liverpool’s current squad was raised in a private briefing, Maresca didn’t hold back.
> “If I must coach Liverpool, then they have to sell this particular player before my arrival,” Maresca reportedly stated. “There’s no way I’ll coach a team where he plays. It is a matter of profile, discipline, and the future of the project.”
>
The player in question? None other than the man currently under the heaviest fire at Anfield: Florian Wirtz.
The “Wirtz” Nightmare: From Crown Jewel to Tactical Flop
It seems unthinkable. Only months ago, Florian Wirtz arrived at Liverpool for a staggering nine-figure sum, hailed as the heir to the creative throne. But the 2025/26 season has been nothing short of a disaster for the German international.
Despite his undeniable talent, Wirtz has struggled to adapt to the high-intensity demands of the Premier League under Arne Slot, failing to register a single goal or assist in his first 11 appearances. For a manager like Maresca—who demands absolute positional discipline and specific “automatisms”—Wirtz’s free-roaming, often languid style is seen as a tactical liability rather than an asset.
Why Maresca is Saying “No”
* Positional Rigidity: Maresca’s “Pep-lite” system requires players to stay in specific zones. Wirtz’s tendency to wander across the pitch disrupts the structural integrity Maresca spent 18 months trying to instill at Chelsea.
* The “Work Rate” Question: Critics have pointed out that Wirtz has looked “short of confidence” and slow to track back—a cardinal sin in a Maresca-led side.
* The Financial Shadow: With Wirtz occupying such a massive portion of the wage bill and squad status, Maresca reportedly believes the player’s presence would prevent the “rebuild” necessary to take Liverpool back to the top of the table.
Anfield in Turmoil
Liverpool currently sits in fourth place, trailing the leaders and struggling to find the spark that made them champions under Klopp and early-era Slot. With Alexander Isak also struggling and the defense looking shaky, the last thing the Reds need is a public rejection from one of Europe’s most sought-after tactical minds.
While Arne Slot remains in the dugout for now, the shadow of Maresca’s comments looms large. If the board ever decides to move for the Italian, they now know the price: The most expensive signing in the club’s history must be shown the exit door.
What do you think, Reds? Is Maresca right about Wirtz being a “misfit,” or has the former Chelsea boss gone too far?
About The Author
