The Reasons Why Liverpool Haven't Yet Found the Optimal from Wirtz So Far

Analysis of the German midfielder's first nine appearances for Liverpool has typically reached the same conclusion - it has been an underwhelming start.

Some have gone further. Former England striker Wayne Rooney said the £116m signing "disrupts the balance" of the team's setup.

"He's a quality footballer and I'm sure he will get better - but he's experienced a gradual beginning and I think there's no question about that," said Rooney.

Wirtz is yet to score or register an goal contribution for his new club, but does that paint the complete story?

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 evidently going through a phase of change.

Manager the Dutch tactician has changed his approach this campaign - and possibly the absence of defender the England international posed bigger questions than anticipated.

In a similar approach to Slot's previous club team, the Premier League side are attempting to play with a increased frequency of rotations between teammates, advancing through the central areas of the pitch with rapid, tight-area interplay.

It therefore makes sense for the attacking midfielder to be the central attacking force to connect all elements collectively.

However, in reality, he has been asked to do a function that is slightly different from one he is familiar with.

And that has minimised how often he finds himself in situations to score or assist.

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

The midfielder is getting the ball further back more often.

The right-back was impressive in his capability to pass the ball when playing in defensive areas, and Liverpool appear to be sorely missing that attribute.

Skipper the Dutch defender's long switch to forward Mohamed Salah is a great method for them to move the ball forward reliably. Otherwise, Liverpool are missing the distribution ability in defence to find teammates in advanced positions.

That responsibility has fallen on the young German at certain moments. He has been dropping deep to get the possession before changing direction and attempting to carry it up the pitch. He is capable to perform this role because of his technical quality, but it is limiting the opportunities he spends close to the opposing net.

Should possession responsibilities can be taken by a different teammate, it possibly enables Wirtz to operate higher up the field.

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

Among the most significant differences the player is experiencing in the Premier League is the limited space and heightened pressure exerted to him.

Operating through the middle between the lines against extremely compact defensive sides such as the London club, the German has found himself with reduced opportunity and space to operate.

During his time at Bayer Leverkusen, there were matches in which Wirtz would position himself on the left flank while his colleagues progressed the play forward before passing to him.

In other situations, he would position himself in middle attacking midfield positions, especially against sides that provided more room between the defensive units in matches that developed into more counter-attacking in nature.

Former Bayer boss Xabi Alonso utilized the talent well because both of these scenarios would enable him to get the ball with space - meaning he could receive and carry forward with distance between himself and a defender.

For extracting the best out of Wirtz, delivering the possession to him when there is not instant marking on him is ideal.

When he is capable to collect the ball on the turn and carry it forward - with distance between himself and the nearby player - he is capable to use body feints and a variation in speed to disrupt opposition defensive structures.

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 players.

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

Separation can be found by deploying him on the left flank initially or by passing to him in the center early. If he is operating between the lines, particularly when an rival team's defensive shape is spread, colleagues must accordingly execute forward balls to locate the midfielder.

The Premier League's physical demands has tactical consequences but also impacts players personally - and Wirtz appears to have not yet fully adapted to this change.

Under the manager's quicker and more position-switching style of offensive play, Liverpool are vulnerable to fast breaks, with fewer players behind the ball. This demands forward players like the midfielder to counter-press with intensity when the ball is lost.

The young talent has completely committed to the defensive instructions and has harassed intensely. In attack, he is being encouraged to retreat to help in constructing play while having the licence to participate to attacks on each of the left side and right.

All of this is taxing physically, and some of his subpar possession decisions may be attributed to fatigue. Of all footballers to feature 400+ minutes in the Premier League this campaign, the midfielder has run the fifth-highest distance per 90 minutes and the highest of any Liverpool teammate.

In a recent interview with German media, the player spoke about the contrast in his performances this campaign versus last.

He stated Slot had expressed a opinion "it could be because we press a frequently and I cover ground a lot".

The midfielder added: "For example, the running stats: I'm always at the forefront in that category because I try to exert maximum effort and do what the coach asks. I require a significant strength and stamina for that. When I have the ball, I might be lacking a small amount. That this will simply develop step by step, as I gain more experience, improve physically, become capable to perform actions more effortlessly, and then, whenever I have the play, become {fit|conditioned