Why Liverpool Aren't Getting the Best from Florian Wirtz Yet

Assessment of the German midfielder's first nine appearances for Liverpool has generally landed at the identical verdict - it has been an underwhelming start.

Several commentators have gone further. Ex- Three Lions striker Wayne Rooney said the expensive acquisition "disrupts the equilibrium" of the team's structure.

"He is a top player and I'm confident he will get better - but he's had 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 current team, but is that showing the whole picture?

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

The squad's balance is disrupted, but they are evidently experiencing a phase of change.

Head coach Arne Slot has changed his tactical setup this season - and possibly the absence of defender the England international posed greater challenges than expected.

Following a comparable pattern to Slot's Feyenoord team, the Premier League side are looking to play with a increased frequency of rotations between players, advancing through the central areas of the field with quick, tight-area interplay.

This logically explains for the attacking midfielder to be the primary creative hub to knit all elements together.

But, practically, he has been asked to perform a role that is somewhat altered from the position he is used to.

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

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

Wirtz is receiving the possession further back more often.

The right-back was impressive in his capability to pass the play when playing deep, and Liverpool appear to be significantly lacking that attribute.

Captain the Dutch defender's long switch to attacker Mohamed Salah is a great way for them to move the ball forward reliably. Alternatively, Liverpool are missing the distribution ability in their defensive line to locate team-mates in advanced positions.

That responsibility has fallen on Wirtz at times. He has been dropping deep to get the possession before changing direction and trying to drive it forward. He is capable to perform this role because of his technical quality, but it is limiting the opportunities he operates near the opposing net.

Should possession responsibilities can be shouldered by another player, it possibly enables the attacker to position himself higher up the pitch.

Curtis Jones has the capability to perform this function in a central midfield partnership or on the left wing, and may be an option the manager could consider as he looks to enhance Wirtz's natural game.

One of the biggest differences Wirtz is experiencing in the English top flight is the reduced room and increased pressure exerted to him.

Positioned centrally between the defensive units against extremely compact opposing teams such as the London club, the German has been positioned with less opportunity and space 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 play forward before passing to him.

In other situations, he would operate in middle advanced midfield areas, particularly against opponents that offered more room between the defensive units in matches that developed into more transitional in style.

Former Bayer boss Xabi Alonso utilized Wirtz effectively because each of these situations would allow him to get the possession with space - meaning he could collect and drive forward with room between himself and a opponent.

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

When he is capable to collect the play on the turn and carry it ahead - with distance between himself and the closest player - he is able to use deceptive movements and a change in pace to disrupt opposition defences.

In a similar manner to the Merseyside club forward Jack Grealish, his finest performances both on the ball carrying and in his distribution comes from scenarios in which he is driving with the ball and running at players.

That is why several of Wirtz's most impressive moments this season have come in counter-attacks.

Separation can be created by deploying him on the left flank initially or by finding him in the center quickly. When he is operating between the defensive units, especially when an opposition's defensive shape is stretched, team-mates must accordingly execute direct balls to find Wirtz.

The Premier League's physical demands has strategic consequences but also affects players individually - and Wirtz seems to have still not completely adjusted to this transition.

Under the manager's faster and more position-switching style of attack, Liverpool are susceptible to fast breaks, with reduced bodies behind the play. This requires attackers like Wirtz to counter-press with energy when the ball is lost.

Wirtz has fully dedicated himself to the defensive instructions and has harassed intensely. In attack, he is being encouraged to retreat to assist in building up while having the licence to participate to offensive moves on each of the left side and right flank.

All of this is taxing physically, and some of his poor on-the-ball decisions may be attributed to tiredness. Among all footballers to feature significant game time in the top division this season, the German has covered the fifth-highest distance per full match and the highest of all Liverpool player.

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

He stated Slot had expressed a opinion "it could be because we press a frequently and I run a lot".

The midfielder continued: "For example, the running stats: I am consistently at the forefront in that category because I attempt to push hard and do what the coach demands. I require a significant power and stamina for that. Whenever 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, improve physically, become capable to perform actions more easily, and subsequently, whenever I have the play, be {fit|conditioned