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

Assessment of Florian Wirtz's initial nine games for the Merseyside club has generally landed at the same conclusion - it has been an underwhelming start.

Some have been more critical. Ex- England striker Wayne Rooney said the expensive acquisition "disrupts the balance" of Liverpool's setup.

"He's a quality footballer and I'm confident he will get better - but he's had a slow start and I think there's no denying that," commented the former striker.

Wirtz is yet to score or provide an goal contribution for his current team, but does that paint the complete story?

Here we examine how effective he has performed, why he hasn't been delivering as expected so far, and how the club could get the maximum out of him.

Liverpool's balance is off, but they are evidently experiencing a period of transition.

Manager Arne Slot has altered his tactical setup this season - and possibly the absence of right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold posed bigger questions than anticipated.

In a similar approach to the manager's Feyenoord team, the Premier League side are looking to play with a increased frequency of rotations between teammates, progressing through the central areas of the field with rapid, small-space combination play.

It therefore makes sense for Wirtz to be the primary creative hub to connect all elements together.

But, practically, he has been asked to do a function that is slightly different from one he is used to.

And that has reduced how frequently he finds himself in positions to find the net or assist.

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

Wirtz is receiving the ball further back more often.

Alexander-Arnold was impressive in his capability to distribute the ball when playing in defensive areas, and the team seem sorely missing that attribute.

Captain Virgil van Dijk's diagonal passes to forward Mohamed Salah is a effective method for them to get the ball forward reliably. Otherwise, the squad are missing the passing quality in their defensive line to find teammates up the field.

This duty has been placed on the young German at certain moments. He has been dropping deep to receive the ball before turning and attempting to carry it forward. He is capable to do this because of his skill level, but it is reducing the opportunities he operates close to the opposing goal.

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

The academy graduate has the ability to perform this function in a central midfield partnership or on the left wing, and may be an alternative Slot could turn to as he aims to enhance Wirtz's preferred style.

Among the most significant differences Wirtz is encountering in the English top flight is the limited room and increased pressure applied to him.

Operating centrally between the lines against extremely organized defensive sides such as the London club, the German has found himself with less opportunity and space to operate.

For Bayer Leverkusen, there were games in which Wirtz would stand on the left flank while his team-mates advanced the ball forward before passing to him.

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

Ex- Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso profiled the talent effectively because each of these scenarios would enable him to receive the possession with separation - meaning he could receive and carry forward with distance between himself and a defender.

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

When he is capable to collect the ball on the turn and drive it ahead - with distance between himself and the nearby player - he is able to use deceptive movements and a change in pace to disrupt opposition defences.

In a similar manner to the Merseyside club forward the England international, his finest performances both on the ball carrying and in his distribution originates from situations in which he is driving with the ball and driving at players.

This is why many of the German's best moments this campaign have come in counter-attacks.

Separation can be created by deploying 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 structure is stretched, colleagues must therefore execute forward passes to find the midfielder.

England's top division's intensity has strategic consequences but also affects footballers individually - and the German seems to have not yet fully adapted to this transition.

With Slot's quicker and more position-switching approach of attack, the team are susceptible to counter-attacks, with reduced bodies supporting the ball. This demands forward players like the midfielder to counter-press with intensity when the possession is turned over.

Wirtz has completely dedicated himself to the defensive instructions and has harassed intensely. Offensively, he is being encouraged to retreat to assist in constructing play while maintaining the licence to participate to offensive moves on each of the left side and right flank.

This combination is demanding physically, and several of his subpar possession decisions could be attributed to fatigue. Among all footballers to play significant game time in the top division this season, the German has covered the fifth-highest distance per 90 minutes and the most of all club teammate.

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

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

Wirtz continued: "To illustrate, the running stats: I'm consistently at the top there because I attempt to push hard and do what the coach demands. I need a significant power and energy for that. Whenever I have the ball, I could be lacking a little bit. That this will simply develop progressively, as I gain more experience, get fitter, become capable to perform actions more effortlessly, and subsequently, whenever I have the play, become {fit|conditioned