Why Liverpool Haven't Yet Found the Optimal 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.

Some have gone further. Ex- England striker Wayne Rooney said the expensive acquisition "damages the equilibrium" of Liverpool's structure.

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

Wirtz is yet to score or register an assist for his current team, but is that showing the complete story?

Here we examine how effective he has been, why he isn't performing as anticipated yet, and how Liverpool could extract the maximum out of him.

The squad's balance is disrupted, but they are evidently going through a phase of transition.

Manager Arne Slot has changed his tactical setup this campaign - and possibly the loss of defender Trent Alexander-Arnold created bigger questions than anticipated.

In a similar approach to Slot's previous club team, the Premier League side are attempting to operate with a greater number of rotations between teammates, advancing through the middle of the field with rapid, tight-area combination play.

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

However, practically, he has been asked to do a role that is somewhat altered from the position he is familiar with.

And that has reduced how frequently he positions himself in positions to score or create chances.

It doesn't get the best out of the player as an individual, but he hasn't been poorly in this sub-optimal role.

Wirtz is receiving the ball deeper with increasing frequency.

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

Captain the Dutch defender's long switch to attacker the Egyptian winger is a great way for them to get the play up the pitch consistently. Alternatively, Liverpool lack the passing quality in defence to find team-mates in advanced positions.

This duty has fallen on the young German at times. He has been dropping deep to receive the possession before turning and trying to drive it forward. He is capable to perform this role because of his skill level, but it is reducing the time he spends close to the opposition net.

Should build-up duties can be taken by another player, it possibly enables the attacker to operate higher up the pitch.

Curtis Jones has the capability to do this in a double pivot or on the left wing, and may be an option the manager could turn to as he aims to enhance the German's natural game.

One of the biggest differences Wirtz is encountering in the English top flight is the reduced room and heightened pressure applied to him.

Operating centrally between the lines against very organized opposing teams such as the London club, Wirtz has been positioned with less time and room to play.

During his time at his former club, there were games in which the midfielder would stand on the left flank while his colleagues progressed the ball forward before passing to him.

In other situations, he would position himself in central attacking midfield positions, especially against opponents that offered more space between the lines in matches that developed into more counter-attacking in nature.

Former Bayer boss the Spanish manager utilized Wirtz effectively because both of these scenarios would allow him to receive the possession with separation - meaning he could receive and carry forward with room between himself and a opponent.

For extracting the best out of the player, delivering the ball to him when there is not instant pressure on him is ideal.

When he is capable to collect the ball on the half-turn and carry it forward - with space between himself and the closest player - he is able to use body feints and a change in pace to disrupt opposition defensive structures.

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

That is why several of Wirtz's most impressive instances this season have occurred in transitions.

Space can be found by deploying him on the wing initially or by passing to him in the midfield quickly. When he is positioned between the lines, particularly when an opposition's defensive shape is spread, colleagues must accordingly execute forward passes to locate Wirtz.

England's top division's intensity has tactical implications but also impacts footballers personally - and Wirtz seems to have still not fully adapted to this transition.

Under Slot's faster and more position-switching approach of offensive play, Liverpool are vulnerable to fast breaks, with fewer bodies supporting the play. This requires forward players like the midfielder to counter-press with energy when the ball is turned over.

The young talent has fully committed to the out-of-possession directives and has harassed intensely. Offensively, he is being instructed to retreat to help in constructing play while having the licence to contribute to attacks on both the left and right flank.

All of this is taxing on fitness, and some of his poor on-the-ball decisions may be attributed to tiredness. Of all footballers to feature 400+ minutes in the Premier League this season, the midfielder has run the fifth-highest ground per full match and the most of any club teammate.

In a recent interview with Sky Sports Germany, the player spoke about the difference in his displays this season compared to last.

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

Wirtz added: "To illustrate, the running stats: I am consistently at the forefront there because I try to exert maximum effort and execute what the manager demands. I require a lot of strength and energy for that. Whenever I have the possession, I might be missing a little bit. The expectation this will gradually come progressively, as I gain more experience, improve physically, become capable to perform actions more easily, and then, when I have the ball, be {fit|conditioned