The Reasons Why The Reds Aren't Getting the Optimal from Florian Wirtz So Far

Analysis of Florian Wirtz's first nine appearances for the Merseyside club has typically reached the same conclusion - it has been an underwhelming start.

Some have gone further. Ex- England striker the Manchester United legend said the expensive acquisition "damages the equilibrium" of the team's structure.

"He is a top player and I'm confident he will improve - but he's experienced a slow start and I think there's no question about that," said the former striker.

The young German is yet to score or register an goal contribution for his new club, but does that paint the whole picture?

Here we explore how good he has performed, why he isn't performing as expected yet, and how the club could extract the maximum out of him.

The squad's balance is off, but they are evidently going through a phase of transition.

Head coach Arne Slot has altered his approach this campaign - and possibly the absence of defender the England international created bigger questions than expected.

Following a comparable pattern to the manager's previous club team, Liverpool are attempting to operate with a increased frequency of rotations between players, progressing through the central areas of the pitch with rapid, small-space interplay.

It therefore makes sense for Wirtz to be the central creative hub to connect all elements together.

However, practically, he has been tasked to do a function that is somewhat altered from one he is familiar with.

This has reduced how frequently he positions himself in positions to find the net or create chances.

It doesn't get the best out of the player as an individual, but he hasn't performed bad in this less-than-ideal role.

Wirtz is receiving the possession deeper more often.

The right-back was outstanding in his ability to distribute the ball when playing in defensive areas, and Liverpool seem significantly lacking that attribute.

Captain Virgil van Dijk's diagonal passes to attacker Mohamed Salah is a effective method for them to move the ball forward reliably. Alternatively, the squad are missing the passing quality in their defensive line to locate team-mates up the field.

This duty has fallen on the young German at certain moments. He has been retreating deeper to receive the ball before turning and attempting to drive it forward. He is able to do this because of his technical quality, but it is reducing the opportunities he operates close to the opposing net.

If possession responsibilities can be shouldered by another player, it potentially allows Wirtz to position himself higher up the field.

Curtis Jones has the capability to do this in a double pivot or on the left wing, and could represent an alternative Slot could turn to as he looks to complement the German's natural game.

Among the most significant differences Wirtz is encountering in the Premier League is the reduced space and increased intensity applied to him.

Operating centrally between the defensive units against very compact defensive sides such as the London club, the German has been positioned with less opportunity and room to play.

For his former club, there were games in which the midfielder would stand on the left wing while his team-mates advanced the ball forward before finding him.

Alternatively, he would operate in middle advanced midfield positions, particularly against opponents that offered more room between the defensive units in matches that developed into more counter-attacking in style.

Ex- Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso utilized Wirtz well because each of these scenarios would allow him to receive the possession with separation - meaning he could collect and drive forward with room between himself and a defender.

To get the best out of Wirtz, delivering the possession to him when there isn't immediate pressure on him is ideal.

Whenever he is able to receive the ball on the half-turn and carry it forward - with space between himself and the nearby player - he is capable to use body feints and a variation in pace to disrupt rival defensive structures.

In a similar manner to the Merseyside club attacker the England international, his best performances both on the dribble and in his passing originates from situations in which he is driving with the possession and driving at defenders.

This is why several of the German's best moments this campaign have come in counter-attacks.

Space can be found by positioning him on the wing initially or by finding him in the center quickly. When he is positioned between the defensive units, especially when an opposition's defensive shape is spread, team-mates must accordingly execute forward passes to locate the midfielder.

England's top division's physical demands has strategic consequences but also affects footballers individually - and Wirtz seems to have not yet completely adjusted to this change.

With the manager's faster and more rotation-based approach of offensive play, the team are vulnerable to fast breaks, with reduced bodies behind the ball. This requires attackers like Wirtz to press immediately with intensity when the ball is lost.

The young talent has completely committed to the defensive directives and has pressed energetically. Offensively, he is being instructed to retreat to assist in building up while having the freedom to contribute to attacks on each of the left and right.

This combination is demanding on fitness, and some of his subpar possession actions could be attributed to tiredness. Among all players to play significant game time in the Premier League this season, the German has run the fifth most ground per 90 minutes and the highest of any club teammate.

During a recent discussion with Sky Sports Germany, the player discussed the difference in his displays this campaign compared to the previous year.

He stated the manager had voiced a opinion "it might be because we press a lot and I cover ground a lot".

The midfielder continued: "To illustrate, the distance covered statistics: I am always at the top in that category because I attempt to push hard and do what the coach demands. I require a significant strength and stamina for that. Whenever I have the ball, I might be missing a small amount. The expectation this will gradually come step by step, as I gain more experience, improve physically, be able to perform actions more effortlessly, and then, whenever I have the play, become {fit|conditioned