The Reasons Why Liverpool Haven't Yet Found the Best from Wirtz So Far

Assessment of Florian Wirtz's first nine appearances for Liverpool has generally landed at the same conclusion - it has been an disappointing beginning.

Some have been more critical. Ex- Three Lions striker the Manchester United legend stated the expensive acquisition "damages the balance" of Liverpool's setup.

"He is a top player and I'm confident he will get better - but he's had a slow start and I believe there's no denying that," commented Rooney.

Wirtz is still without a goal or provide an assist for his new club, but does that paint the whole picture?

In this analysis we explore how effective he has performed, why he hasn't been delivering as anticipated yet, and how the club could extract the best out of him.

Liverpool's balance is disrupted, but they are clearly going through a period of transition.

Head coach the Dutch tactician has altered his approach this season - and perhaps the absence of right-back the England international created bigger questions than anticipated.

In a similar approach to the manager's previous club team, the Premier League side are looking to operate with a increased frequency of positional switches between players, progressing through the central areas of the field with rapid, small-space combination play.

It therefore makes sense for Wirtz to be the primary attacking force to connect everything collectively.

However, in reality, he has been asked to perform a role that is somewhat altered from the position he is used to.

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

It doesn't get the maximum potential out of the player as an individual, but he hasn't been bad in this less-than-ideal position.

The midfielder is receiving the possession deeper more often.

The right-back was impressive in his capability to distribute the play when operating deep, and the team appear to be sorely missing that attribute.

Skipper Virgil van Dijk's long switch to forward Mohamed Salah is a effective method for them to get the ball forward consistently. Otherwise, the squad lack the passing quality in their defensive line to find team-mates in advanced positions.

That responsibility has fallen on the young German at times. He has been dropping deep to get the possession before changing direction and trying to carry it forward. He is able to do this because of his technical quality, but it is reducing the opportunities he spends near the opposing net.

If possession duties can be shouldered by another player, it potentially enables the attacker 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 may be an option the manager could turn to as he aims to enhance Wirtz's preferred style.

One of the biggest contrasts Wirtz is experiencing in the English top flight is the reduced space and heightened intensity exerted to him.

Positioned centrally between the lines against extremely compact defensive sides such as Crystal Palace, the German has found himself with less time and space to play.

During his time at Bayer Leverkusen, there were matches in which Wirtz would position himself on the left wing while his team-mates advanced the play forward before finding him.

Alternatively, he would position himself in central attacking midfield areas, particularly against sides that offered more space between the lines in matches that became more counter-attacking in style.

Ex- Bayer boss Xabi Alonso profiled Wirtz well because each of these scenarios would allow him to get the ball with space - meaning he could collect and drive forward with distance between himself and a defender.

To get the maximum out of the player, delivering the possession to him when there is not immediate pressure on him is ideal.

When he is able to receive the play on the turn and drive it forward - with distance between himself and the nearby opponent - he is able to use deceptive movements and a change in speed to destabilize opposition defensive structures.

In a similar manner to Everton forward Jack Grealish, his finest performances both on the dribble and in his passing originates from scenarios in which he is driving with the ball and running at defenders.

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

Separation can be found by deploying him on the wing initially or by finding him in the center early. If he is operating between the defensive units, especially when an opposition's defensive shape is spread, colleagues must therefore play direct passes to locate Wirtz.

The Premier League's physical demands has strategic implications but also affects footballers individually - and Wirtz appears to have not yet completely adjusted to this change.

With Slot's faster and more rotation-based style of offensive play, the team are susceptible to fast breaks, with fewer bodies behind the play. This demands attackers like Wirtz to press immediately with intensity when the possession is turned over.

The young talent has completely dedicated himself to the defensive directives and has harassed energetically. Offensively, he is being encouraged to drop deep to assist in constructing play while maintaining the licence to contribute to attacks on both the left side and right flank.

This combination is demanding physically, and some of his subpar on-the-ball actions may be down to fatigue. Of all players to feature significant game time in the Premier League this campaign, the German has run the fifth most ground per full match and the most of all Liverpool teammate.

During a recent discussion with German media, Wirtz discussed the contrast in his displays this campaign compared to the previous year.

He stated the manager had voiced a view "it might be because we harass a frequently and I cover ground a considerably".

Wirtz continued: "For example, the distance covered statistics: I am always at the top there because I attempt to push hard and do what the manager asks. I need a lot of power and stamina for that. Whenever I have the possession, I could be lacking a small amount. That this will simply develop progressively, as I play more games, get fitter, become capable to do things more easily, and then, whenever I have the play, become {fit|conditioned