Why The Reds Aren't Getting the Best from Florian Wirtz Yet

Assessment of the German midfielder's initial nine games for Liverpool has typically reached the identical verdict - it has been an disappointing beginning.

Several commentators have gone further. Former England striker Wayne Rooney said the £116m signing "damages the balance" of the team's structure.

"He is a quality footballer and I'm sure he will improve - but he's had a gradual beginning and I think there's no denying that," commented the former striker.

Wirtz is still without a goal or register an assist for his current team, but does that paint the complete story?

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

Liverpool's equilibrium is off, but they are evidently going through a phase of transition.

Manager the Dutch tactician has changed his approach this season - and perhaps the loss of defender Trent Alexander-Arnold created greater challenges than expected.

Following a comparable pattern to Slot's Feyenoord team, Liverpool 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 interplay.

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

However, in reality, he has been asked 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 score or create chances.

This setup fails to extract the maximum potential out of Wirtz as an singular talent, but he hasn't been poorly in this less-than-ideal role.

The midfielder is getting the possession deeper more often.

The right-back was outstanding in his ability to distribute the play when operating in defensive areas, and Liverpool appear to be significantly lacking that attribute.

Captain the Dutch defender's long switch to attacker the Egyptian winger is a great way for them to move the play forward reliably. Alternatively, the squad lack the passing quality in defence to locate teammates up the field.

This duty has fallen on Wirtz at certain moments. He has been dropping deep to get the possession before turning and trying to carry it forward. He is capable to do this because of his technical quality, but it is limiting the opportunities he operates near the opposing goal.

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

The academy graduate has the capability to do this in a central midfield partnership or on the left flank, and may be an option Slot could consider as he looks to enhance the German's preferred style.

Among the biggest differences Wirtz is encountering in the Premier League is the reduced room and increased pressure exerted to him.

Positioned centrally between the lines against very compact opposing teams such as the London club, the German has found himself with less opportunity and room to play.

For his former club, there were games in which Wirtz would stand on the left wing while his team-mates progressed the play forward before passing to him.

Alternatively, he would position himself in central advanced midfield areas, particularly against sides that provided more room between the lines in matches that became more transitional in style.

Ex- Bayer boss Xabi Alonso profiled Wirtz well because both of these scenarios would allow him to receive the possession with space - meaning he could receive and carry forward with distance between himself and a opponent.

To get the maximum out of Wirtz, delivering the ball to him when there is not immediate marking on him is optimal.

When he is capable to collect the play on the turn and carry it forward - with space between himself and the closest player - he is able to use deceptive movements and a variation in pace to destabilize rival defensive structures.

Comparably to the Merseyside club forward Jack Grealish, his best performances both on the dribble and in his distribution originates from scenarios in which he is carrying the possession and running at defenders.

This is why many of Wirtz's best instances this season have come in transitions.

Space can be found by deploying him on the left flank initially or by finding him in the center early. If he is positioned between the defensive units, particularly when an rival team's structure is spread, team-mates must accordingly execute forward balls to find Wirtz.

England's top division's intensity has tactical consequences but also impacts players personally - and the German seems to have not yet fully adapted to this transition.

With Slot's quicker and more rotation-based approach of attack, Liverpool are susceptible to fast breaks, with fewer bodies supporting the ball. This requires forward players like the midfielder to counter-press with intensity when the ball is lost.

Wirtz has completely dedicated himself to the defensive directives and has pressed intensely. Offensively, he is being instructed to retreat to assist in building up while having the licence to participate to attacks on both the left side and right.

This combination is taxing physically, and some of his poor on-the-ball actions could be attributed to tiredness. Among all footballers to play 400+ minutes in the Premier League this season, the German has covered the fifth most distance per 90 minutes and the highest of any Liverpool teammate.

During a recent discussion with Sky Sports Germany, Wirtz discussed the difference in his displays this season compared to last.

He said Slot had expressed a opinion "it might be because we harass a lot and I run a considerably".

The midfielder added: "For example, the distance covered statistics: I'm consistently at the forefront there because I attempt to push hard and execute what the coach demands. I require a lot of strength and energy for that. Whenever I have the ball, I could be lacking a little bit. That it will gradually develop step by step, as I play more games, improve physically, be able to perform actions more easily, and then, whenever I have the play, be {fit|conditioned