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

Assessment of the German midfielder's first nine appearances for the Merseyside club has typically reached the same conclusion - it has been an disappointing start.

Several commentators have gone further. Ex- England striker Wayne Rooney stated the £116m signing "disrupts the equilibrium" of the team's setup.

"He's a top player and I'm confident he will get better - but he's had a slow start and I think there's no denying that," said the former striker.

The young German is still without a goal or register an goal contribution for his new club, but is that showing the whole picture?

In this analysis we explore how good he has been, why he hasn't been delivering as expected so far, and how the club could get the best out of him.

The squad's balance is off, but they are clearly experiencing a phase of transition.

Head coach Arne Slot has changed his tactical setup this campaign - and possibly the absence of right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold created bigger questions than expected.

In a similar approach to the manager's Feyenoord team, Liverpool are attempting to operate with a increased frequency of rotations between teammates, advancing through the central areas of the pitch with quick, small-space interplay.

This logically explains for the attacking midfielder to be the central attacking force to connect everything together.

But, in reality, he has been tasked to perform a function that is slightly different from one he is familiar with.

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

It doesn't get the best out of the player as an singular talent, but he hasn't performed bad in this sub-optimal role.

The midfielder is getting the ball deeper more often.

The right-back was impressive in his ability to distribute the ball when playing deep, and the team seem significantly lacking that quality.

Skipper Virgil van Dijk's diagonal passes to forward Mohamed Salah is a effective method for them to move the ball up the pitch reliably. Alternatively, Liverpool are missing the distribution ability in their defensive line to find teammates up the field.

This duty has fallen on the young German at certain moments. He has been dropping deep to get the ball before changing direction and attempting to carry it forward. He is able to do this because of his skill level, but it is reducing the time he spends close to the opposition goal.

Should build-up duties can be shouldered by a different teammate, it possibly enables Wirtz to operate higher up the field.

Curtis Jones has the ability to perform this function in a central midfield partnership or on the left flank, and could represent an option the manager could consider as he aims to enhance Wirtz's natural game.

Among the most significant contrasts Wirtz is encountering in the English top flight is the limited space and heightened pressure applied to him.

Operating centrally between the defensive units against very organized opposing teams such as Crystal Palace, the German has found himself with reduced opportunity and space to operate.

For Bayer Leverkusen, there were matches in which the midfielder would stand on the left wing while his team-mates progressed the play forward before passing to him.

In other situations, he would position himself in central attacking midfield positions, especially against opponents that provided more space between the defensive units in matches that became more transitional in nature.

Ex- Leverkusen boss the Spanish manager profiled the talent well because both of these situations would enable him to receive the ball with separation - meaning he could receive and drive forward with distance between himself and a opponent.

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

When he is capable to receive the ball on the turn and carry it forward - with distance between himself and the closest opponent - he is capable to use body feints and a change in speed to destabilize rival defensive structures.

In a similar manner to Everton forward the England international, his finest work both on the dribble and in his distribution originates from scenarios in which he is carrying the ball and running at defenders.

This is why many of the German's best moments this campaign have come in transitions.

Space can be found by deploying him on the wing initially or by finding him in the midfield early. When he is operating between the defensive units, particularly when an opposition's structure is spread, team-mates must therefore execute direct passes to find the midfielder.

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

Under Slot's quicker and more rotation-based approach of attack, Liverpool are susceptible to counter-attacks, with reduced bodies supporting the play. This requires attackers like the midfielder to counter-press with intensity when the possession is lost.

Wirtz has completely dedicated himself to the out-of-possession instructions and has pressed energetically. In attack, he is being encouraged to drop deep to help in constructing play while maintaining the freedom to participate to offensive moves on each of the left and right.

All of this is demanding on fitness, and some of his poor on-the-ball actions could be attributed to fatigue. Among all footballers to feature 400+ minutes in the Premier League this campaign, the German has covered the fifth-highest distance per 90 minutes and the highest of all Liverpool player.

In a recent interview with Sky Sports Germany, the player discussed the contrast in his performances this campaign versus last.

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

The midfielder added: "For example, the running stats: I'm consistently at the forefront there because I try to push hard and do what the coach asks. I require a significant strength and energy for that. Whenever I have the ball, I might be missing a little bit. The expectation it will gradually come step by step, as I gain more experience, get fitter, be able to perform actions more easily, and subsequently, when I have the play, become {fit|conditioned