Why Liverpool Aren't Getting the Best from Florian Wirtz So Far

Analysis of the German midfielder's initial nine games for the Merseyside club has generally landed at the identical verdict - it has been an disappointing beginning.

Several commentators have been more critical. Ex- Three Lions striker Wayne Rooney said the £116m signing "disrupts the balance" of the team's setup.

"He is a quality footballer and I'm sure he will get better - but he's experienced a gradual beginning and I think there's no denying that," commented Rooney.

Wirtz is yet to score or register an assist for his current team, but is that showing the complete story?

In this analysis we examine how good he has performed, why he isn't performing as anticipated so far, and how Liverpool could extract the best out of him.

Liverpool's equilibrium is disrupted, but they are clearly experiencing a phase of transition.

Head coach the Dutch tactician has changed his tactical setup this season - and possibly the loss of defender the England international created greater challenges than expected.

Following a comparable pattern to the manager's previous club team, Liverpool are looking to play with a increased frequency of rotations between players, progressing through the central areas of the field with quick, tight-area interplay.

It therefore makes sense for Wirtz to be the primary attacking force to knit all elements together.

However, practically, he has been tasked to do a function that is slightly different from the position he is familiar with.

And that has minimised how often he positions himself in situations to find the net or assist.

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

Wirtz is getting the ball deeper with increasing frequency.

The right-back was outstanding in his capability to distribute the ball when operating deep, and the team seem significantly lacking that attribute.

Skipper the Dutch defender's diagonal passes to attacker Mohamed Salah is a effective method for them to move the play forward reliably. Otherwise, Liverpool are missing the passing quality in their defensive line to find team-mates up the field.

This duty has fallen on the young German at times. He has been dropping deep to get the ball before turning and trying to drive it up the pitch. He is able to perform this role because of his skill level, but it is limiting the opportunities he spends close to the opposition net.

Should possession duties can be taken by another player, it potentially enables Wirtz to operate higher up the pitch.

The academy graduate has the ability to perform this function in a double pivot or on the left wing, and may be an alternative the manager could turn to as he looks to complement the German's natural game.

One of the biggest differences Wirtz is encountering in the Premier League is the reduced space and heightened pressure exerted to him.

Operating through the middle between the lines against very organized opposing teams such as the London club, Wirtz has been positioned with less opportunity and room to play.

For Bayer Leverkusen, there were games in which the midfielder would stand on the left flank while his colleagues progressed the ball forward before passing to him.

Alternatively, he would position himself in central attacking midfield areas, especially against sides that offered more room between the lines in matches that became more transitional in style.

Former Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso profiled Wirtz effectively because both of these situations would allow him to receive the possession with space - meaning he could receive and drive forward with room between himself and a opponent.

To get the best out of the player, getting the possession to him when there is not instant marking on him is optimal.

Whenever he is capable to collect the play on the half-turn and drive it forward - with distance between himself and the closest player - he is capable to use deceptive movements and a change in pace to disrupt opposition defences.

In a similar manner to the Merseyside club attacker Jack Grealish, his finest performances both on the dribble and in his passing comes from scenarios in which he is carrying the ball and driving at defenders.

This is why several of the German's most impressive moments this campaign have come in transitions.

Space can be found by positioning him on the left flank initially or by finding him in the midfield quickly. When he is operating between the defensive units, particularly when an rival team's structure is stretched, colleagues must accordingly execute forward balls to find the midfielder.

The Premier League's intensity has strategic implications but also affects players individually - and Wirtz appears to have not yet fully adapted to this transition.

With Slot's quicker and more rotation-based style of offensive play, Liverpool are susceptible to counter-attacks, with reduced bodies behind the play. This demands attackers like the midfielder to counter-press with intensity when the possession is turned over.

The young talent has completely committed to the out-of-possession directives and has harassed intensely. In attack, he is being encouraged to drop deep to assist in building up while having the freedom to participate to attacks on each of the left and right.

This combination is demanding physically, and several of his subpar possession actions may be attributed to tiredness. Of all players to feature significant game time in the top division this season, the German has run the fifth-highest ground per 90 minutes and the most of any club player.

During a recent discussion with German media, the player discussed the difference in his performances this season versus the previous year.

He said Slot had voiced a view "it could be because we press a frequently and I cover ground a lot".

The midfielder continued: "For example, the distance covered statistics: I am always at the top in that category because I attempt to exert maximum effort and do what the coach asks. I need a lot of strength and energy for that. When I have the ball, I might be lacking a small amount. The expectation this will simply come step by step, as I play more games, get fitter, be able to perform actions more effortlessly, and subsequently, whenever I have the play, become {fit|conditioned