Why Liverpool Aren't Getting the Optimal from Wirtz So Far

Assessment of Florian Wirtz's initial nine games for Liverpool has typically reached the same conclusion - it has been an disappointing start.

Several commentators have gone further. Ex- England striker Wayne Rooney stated the expensive acquisition "disrupts the balance" of Liverpool's structure.

"He is a top player and I'm sure he will get better - but he's had a gradual beginning and I believe there's no question about that," said the former striker.

The young German is still without a goal 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 hasn't been delivering as expected yet, and how Liverpool could get the maximum out of him.

Liverpool's equilibrium is disrupted, but they are evidently experiencing a period of transition.

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

Following a comparable pattern to the manager's Feyenoord team, Liverpool are attempting to play with a increased frequency of positional switches between teammates, advancing through the central areas of the pitch with quick, tight-area combination play.

It therefore makes sense for the attacking midfielder to be the central creative hub to connect everything together.

But, in reality, he has been asked to perform a role that is slightly different from the position he is used to.

And that has reduced how often he finds himself in situations to score or create chances.

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

The midfielder is getting the ball further back more often.

The right-back was impressive in his capability to distribute the play when operating in defensive areas, and Liverpool appear to be sorely missing that quality.

Skipper the Dutch defender's long switch to forward Mohamed Salah is a effective method for them to get the play forward consistently. Otherwise, Liverpool lack the passing quality in their defensive line to locate teammates up the field.

That responsibility has been placed on Wirtz at times. He has been dropping deep to receive the possession before turning and attempting to carry it forward. He is able to perform this role because of his skill level, but it is reducing the opportunities he operates close to the opposing net.

Should build-up responsibilities can be taken by a different teammate, it possibly allows the attacker to operate higher up the pitch.

The academy graduate 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 aims to complement the German's preferred style.

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

Positioned centrally between the lines against extremely organized opposing teams such as Crystal Palace, the German has been positioned with less opportunity and room to operate.

During his time at his former club, there were matches in which the midfielder would position himself on the left wing while his team-mates progressed the ball forward before passing to him.

In other situations, he would operate in middle attacking midfield areas, particularly against sides that provided more space between the defensive units in matches that developed into more counter-attacking in style.

Ex- Bayer boss Xabi Alonso profiled the talent effectively because both of these situations would allow him to get the possession with separation - meaning he could receive and carry forward with distance between himself and a opponent.

To get the best out of the player, getting the possession to him when there isn't immediate marking on him is ideal.

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

In a similar manner to the Merseyside club attacker the England international, his best work both on the dribble and in his distribution originates from situations in which he is driving with the ball and running at players.

This is why several of Wirtz's best instances this campaign have come in counter-attacks.

Separation can be created by deploying him on the wing initially or by passing to him in the midfield quickly. When he is positioned between the defensive units, especially when an opposition's structure is stretched, team-mates must accordingly play forward passes to find the midfielder.

England's top division's intensity has strategic consequences but also affects footballers individually - and Wirtz appears to have still not fully adapted to this transition.

With Slot's quicker and more position-switching approach of attack, the team are susceptible to fast breaks, with reduced bodies behind the play. This demands forward players like the midfielder to press immediately with intensity when the ball is lost.

The young talent has fully dedicated himself to the defensive directives and has harassed energetically. Offensively, he is being instructed to drop deep to assist in constructing play while maintaining the freedom to contribute to attacks on each of the left side and right.

This combination is taxing physically, and several of his subpar on-the-ball decisions could be down to fatigue. Among all players to feature significant game time in the Premier League this campaign, the midfielder has run the fifth-highest distance per full match and the most of all club teammate.

During a recent discussion with German media, Wirtz discussed the contrast in his displays this season versus the previous year.

He stated Slot had voiced a view "it might be because we press a lot and I run a lot".

Wirtz added: "To illustrate, the distance covered statistics: I am always at the top there 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 possession, I could be lacking a little bit. That this will gradually develop step by step, as I gain more experience, improve physically, become capable to do things more easily, and then, whenever I have the play, become {fit|conditioned