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

Analysis of Florian Wirtz's initial nine games for Liverpool has generally landed at the same conclusion - it has been an underwhelming beginning.

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

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

Wirtz is yet to score or provide an assist for his new club, but is that showing the whole picture?

In this analysis we explore how effective he has performed, why he hasn't been delivering as anticipated so far, and how Liverpool could extract the maximum out of him.

Liverpool's balance is off, but they are clearly experiencing a phase of change.

Manager Arne Slot has altered his tactical setup this campaign - and perhaps the loss of defender Trent Alexander-Arnold created greater challenges than expected.

In a similar approach to Slot's Feyenoord team, Liverpool are attempting to play with a greater number of rotations between teammates, advancing through the central areas of the field with quick, small-space interplay.

This logically explains for Wirtz to be the primary creative hub to knit everything collectively.

However, in reality, he has been tasked to perform a role that is slightly different from the position he is familiar with.

This has minimised how often he finds himself in situations to score or create chances.

This setup fails to extract the best out of Wirtz as an singular talent, but he hasn't been bad in this less-than-ideal position.

Wirtz is receiving the ball further back more often.

The right-back was outstanding in his ability to pass the ball when playing in defensive areas, and the team seem significantly lacking that attribute.

Captain Virgil van Dijk's long switch to forward Mohamed Salah is a effective way for them to get the play forward consistently. Otherwise, Liverpool are missing the distribution ability in defence to find team-mates up the field.

This duty has fallen on Wirtz at times. He has been retreating deeper to receive the possession before turning and attempting to drive it up the pitch. He is capable to perform this role because of his skill level, but it is reducing the opportunities he spends near the opposing goal.

Should possession duties can be shouldered by another player, it possibly enables Wirtz to position himself more advanced the pitch.

Curtis Jones has the capability to perform this function in a double pivot or on the left wing, and could represent an option the manager could consider as he aims to enhance Wirtz's preferred style.

Among the biggest differences Wirtz is experiencing in the English top flight is the reduced room and heightened pressure applied to him.

Positioned centrally between the lines against very organized opposing teams such as Crystal Palace, the German has found himself with less time and room to operate.

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

Alternatively, he would operate in middle attacking midfield positions, particularly against opponents that provided more room between the defensive units in matches that developed into more transitional in style.

Former Leverkusen boss the Spanish manager utilized the talent effectively because each of these scenarios would enable him to get the possession with space - meaning he could collect and drive forward with distance between himself and a defender.

To get the best out of the player, getting the ball to him when there is not instant marking on him is optimal.

When he is able to receive the play on the turn and drive it forward - with distance between himself and the closest opponent - he is able to use body feints and a change in speed to destabilize rival defences.

Comparably to the Merseyside club forward the England international, his finest work both on the dribble and in his passing comes from scenarios in which he is carrying the possession and running at defenders.

That is why many of the German's most impressive moments this campaign have come in transitions.

Separation can be created by positioning him on the wing initially or by finding him in the midfield early. If he is operating between the defensive units, especially when an rival team's defensive shape is stretched, colleagues must therefore play direct passes to locate the midfielder.

England's top division's physical demands has tactical consequences but also impacts players individually - and the German seems to have not yet completely adjusted to this change.

With Slot's quicker and more position-switching approach of attack, Liverpool are susceptible to counter-attacks, with reduced players behind the ball. This demands forward players like Wirtz to counter-press with energy when the possession is turned over.

The young talent has completely committed to the defensive instructions and has harassed energetically. Offensively, he is being instructed to drop deep to assist in constructing play while maintaining the freedom to contribute to offensive moves on both the left side and right flank.

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 play 400+ minutes in the Premier League this campaign, the midfielder has covered the fifth most distance per 90 minutes and the most of all Liverpool player.

During a recent discussion with Sky Sports Germany, Wirtz spoke about the contrast in his performances this season versus last.

He stated the manager had expressed a opinion "it might be because we press a lot and I cover ground a lot".

Wirtz added: "To illustrate, the running stats: I'm always at the top in that category because I attempt to push hard and do what the manager demands. I require a significant power and energy for that. Whenever I have the possession, I could be missing a small amount. The expectation it will gradually come step by step, as I gain more experience, get fitter, become capable to perform actions more effortlessly, and subsequently, when I have the play, be {fit|conditioned