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

Analysis of Florian Wirtz's initial nine games for the Merseyside club has generally landed at the identical verdict - it has been an underwhelming beginning.

Some have been more critical. Ex- Three Lions striker Wayne Rooney stated the expensive acquisition "disrupts the balance" of Liverpool's structure.

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

Wirtz is yet to score or provide 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 hasn't been delivering as expected yet, and how Liverpool could get the best out of him.

Liverpool's balance is off, but they are clearly experiencing a period of transition.

Manager Arne Slot has altered his tactical setup this campaign - and possibly the loss of defender the England international created bigger questions than anticipated.

In a similar approach to Slot's previous club team, Liverpool are attempting to play with a greater number of positional switches between teammates, progressing through the central areas of the field with quick, tight-area combination play.

This logically explains for the attacking midfielder to be the primary creative hub to connect everything collectively.

However, in reality, he has been asked to perform a role that is slightly different from one he is familiar with.

This has reduced how often he positions himself in situations to score or create chances.

This setup fails to extract the best out of Wirtz as an individual, but he hasn't been poorly in this less-than-ideal position.

Wirtz is receiving the ball further back more often.

The right-back was outstanding in his ability to pass the play when operating deep, and the team appear to be sorely missing that attribute.

Skipper the Dutch defender's long switch to forward the Egyptian winger is a great method for them to move the ball forward reliably. Otherwise, the squad lack the passing quality in defence to find team-mates in advanced positions.

That responsibility has fallen on the young German at certain moments. He has been dropping deep to receive the ball before turning and trying to carry it forward. He is capable to perform this role because of his technical quality, but it is reducing the time he spends near the opposing goal.

Should build-up duties can be taken by a different teammate, it potentially enables the attacker to operate more advanced the pitch.

Curtis Jones has the ability to do this in a central midfield partnership or on the left wing, and could represent an alternative the manager could consider as he looks to enhance the German's natural game.

Among the most significant contrasts the player is experiencing in the English top flight is the limited room and increased pressure applied to him.

Operating centrally between the defensive units against extremely compact defensive sides such as the London club, Wirtz has found himself with reduced time and space to operate.

During his time at his former club, there were matches in which the midfielder would stand on the left wing while his colleagues progressed the play forward before finding him.

In other situations, he would operate in middle advanced midfield positions, especially against sides that offered more space between the defensive units in matches that became more counter-attacking in style.

Former Bayer boss the Spanish manager profiled the talent well because each of these scenarios would enable him to receive the possession with space - meaning he could receive and drive forward with room between himself and a defender.

To get the best out of the player, getting the ball to him when there is not immediate marking on him is ideal.

Whenever he is able to receive the play on the turn and drive it ahead - with distance between himself and the closest player - he is capable to use deceptive movements and a change in speed to destabilize rival defensive structures.

Comparably to Everton attacker Jack Grealish, his best work both on the ball carrying and in his distribution originates from scenarios in which he is driving with the possession and running at defenders.

This is why many of Wirtz's most impressive instances this campaign have come in counter-attacks.

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

England's top division's physical demands has strategic implications but also affects players personally - and the German seems to have not yet fully adapted to this change.

Under Slot's faster and more rotation-based style of attack, the team are susceptible to counter-attacks, with reduced bodies behind the ball. This requires forward players like Wirtz to counter-press with energy when the ball is lost.

The young talent has fully dedicated himself to the out-of-possession instructions and has pressed intensely. Offensively, he is being encouraged to retreat to help in building up while having the licence to participate to attacks on both the left and right.

All of this is taxing physically, and several of his poor on-the-ball actions could be down to tiredness. Of all footballers to feature 400+ minutes in the top division this season, the German has run the fifth-highest distance per 90 minutes and the highest of any Liverpool teammate.

In a recent interview with German media, Wirtz spoke about the difference in his displays this season compared to last.

He stated the manager had expressed a view "it could be because we press a frequently and I run a lot".

Wirtz added: "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 significant strength and energy for that. Whenever I have the possession, I might be missing a small amount. That this will simply come step by step, as I gain more experience, improve physically, become capable to perform actions more effortlessly, and then, when I have the play, be {fit|conditioned