Why The Reds Aren't Getting the Best from Wirtz So Far

Analysis of the German midfielder's first nine appearances for Liverpool has generally landed at the identical verdict - it has been an disappointing start.

Some have been more critical. Former Three Lions striker the Manchester United legend stated the £116m signing "disrupts the equilibrium" of Liverpool's setup.

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

The young German is still without a goal or register an assist for his current team, but does that paint the whole picture?

In this analysis we explore how good he has performed, why he isn't performing as anticipated so far, and how the club could extract the maximum out of him.

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

Head coach the Dutch tactician has changed his approach this campaign - and perhaps the loss of defender Trent Alexander-Arnold posed greater challenges than expected.

Following a comparable pattern to Slot's Feyenoord team, the Premier League side are looking to operate with a greater number of positional switches between players, advancing through the middle of the field with quick, small-space interplay.

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

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

This has reduced how frequently he positions himself in positions to score or assist.

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

Wirtz is getting the possession deeper with increasing frequency.

The right-back was outstanding in his ability to pass the play when playing in defensive areas, and Liverpool seem sorely missing that attribute.

Skipper the Dutch defender's long switch to attacker Mohamed Salah is a great method for them to move the ball forward reliably. Alternatively, the squad are missing the passing quality in their defensive line to locate teammates in advanced positions.

This duty has fallen on the young German at certain moments. He has been retreating deeper to get the ball before changing direction and attempting to carry it forward. He is able to do this because of his technical quality, but it is reducing the time he spends near the opposition net.

Should possession duties can be shouldered by another player, it possibly allows Wirtz to operate more advanced the field.

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

Among the biggest differences the player is encountering in the English top flight is the reduced space and heightened pressure exerted to him.

Operating centrally between the lines against very compact opposing teams such as Crystal Palace, the German has been positioned with less time and room to operate.

For Bayer Leverkusen, there were matches in which the midfielder would position himself on the left wing while his colleagues advanced the ball forward before finding him.

In other situations, he would operate in middle advanced midfield positions, especially against opponents that provided more space between the defensive units in matches that developed into more transitional in style.

Former Bayer boss the Spanish manager profiled Wirtz well because both of these scenarios would enable him to get the possession with space - meaning he could receive and carry forward with distance between himself and a opponent.

To get the maximum out of the player, delivering the possession to him when there isn't immediate pressure on him is ideal.

When he is able to collect the play on the half-turn and carry it ahead - with space between himself and the nearby player - he is capable to use body feints and a variation in speed to disrupt opposition defences.

In a similar manner to Everton attacker the England international, his finest work both on the dribble and in his distribution originates from situations in which he is driving with the possession and driving at players.

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

Separation can be found by positioning him on the left flank initially or by passing to him in the midfield early. When he is positioned between the defensive units, especially when an opposition's defensive shape is stretched, colleagues must therefore execute forward passes to find the midfielder.

England's top division's intensity has strategic implications but also impacts players individually - and Wirtz appears to have not yet fully adapted to this change.

With the manager's quicker and more rotation-based approach of attack, Liverpool are vulnerable to fast breaks, with fewer players supporting the ball. This requires forward players like the midfielder to counter-press with intensity when the possession is turned over.

Wirtz has fully dedicated himself to the out-of-possession directives and has pressed energetically. In attack, he is being encouraged to drop deep to assist in constructing play while having the licence to participate to attacks on each of the left and right flank.

This combination is taxing physically, and some of his subpar on-the-ball decisions may be down to fatigue. Of all players to play significant game time in the Premier League this campaign, the German has run the fifth most ground per 90 minutes and the most of all Liverpool teammate.

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

He said the manager had voiced a opinion "it could be because we harass a lot and I run a considerably".

Wirtz added: "For example, the running stats: I'm consistently at the forefront there because I attempt to exert maximum effort and do what the manager demands. I need a significant strength and stamina for that. When I have the possession, I might be lacking a little bit. That this will simply come step by step, as I gain more experience, improve physically, be able to do things more effortlessly, and then, whenever I have the ball, be {fit|conditioned