The Reasons Why The Reds Haven't Yet Found the Best from Wirtz Yet

Assessment of the German midfielder's first nine appearances for the Merseyside club has typically reached the same conclusion - it has been an underwhelming beginning.

Several commentators have gone further. Ex- Three Lions striker Wayne Rooney stated the £116m signing "damages the equilibrium" of Liverpool's structure.

"He is a quality footballer and I'm confident he will get better - but he's had a slow start and I believe there's no denying that," commented Rooney.

Wirtz is still without a goal or provide an goal contribution for his new club, but does that paint the whole picture?

In this analysis we explore how effective he has performed, why he isn't performing as expected yet, and how Liverpool could get the maximum out of him.

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

Manager the Dutch tactician has changed his tactical setup this season - and possibly the absence of right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold posed greater challenges than anticipated.

Following a comparable pattern to the manager's previous club team, Liverpool are attempting to operate with a greater number of positional switches between teammates, progressing through the central areas of the field with quick, small-space combination play.

This logically explains for Wirtz to be the primary creative hub to knit all elements together.

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

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

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

Wirtz is getting the ball deeper with increasing frequency.

Alexander-Arnold was impressive in his ability to distribute the ball when playing in defensive areas, and Liverpool appear to be sorely missing that quality.

Skipper Virgil van Dijk's diagonal passes to attacker the Egyptian winger is a great way for them to move the ball up the pitch consistently. Alternatively, Liverpool are missing the passing quality in their defensive line to locate teammates up the field.

That responsibility has been placed on Wirtz at certain moments. He has been retreating deeper to receive the ball before turning and trying 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 operates near the opposing goal.

If possession duties can be taken by a different teammate, it potentially enables the attacker to position himself more advanced the field.

Curtis Jones has the ability to perform this function in a double pivot or on the left wing, and could represent an option the manager could consider as he looks to enhance Wirtz's natural game.

One of the most significant differences Wirtz is experiencing in the Premier League is the reduced room and increased pressure applied to him.

Positioned centrally between the lines against very organized defensive sides such as Crystal Palace, Wirtz has been positioned with reduced time and room to operate.

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

In other situations, he would operate in middle advanced midfield areas, especially against sides that provided more space between the defensive units in matches that became more transitional in nature.

Former Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso utilized Wirtz well because each of these situations would allow him to receive the possession with separation - meaning he could collect and drive forward with distance between himself and a opponent.

For extracting the best out of Wirtz, delivering the ball to him when there isn't instant pressure on him is optimal.

When he is able to collect the ball on the turn and carry it ahead - with space between himself and the closest player - he is capable to use deceptive movements and a variation in speed to disrupt rival defences.

In a similar manner to Everton attacker the England international, his finest work both on the ball carrying and in his passing originates from scenarios in which he is carrying the possession and driving at defenders.

This is why many of Wirtz's most impressive moments this season have come in transitions.

Separation can be found by deploying him on the left flank initially or by finding him in the midfield quickly. If he is operating between the lines, particularly when an rival team's structure is stretched, team-mates must accordingly execute direct passes to locate the midfielder.

England's top division's intensity has tactical implications but also impacts players personally - and the German seems to have not yet completely adjusted to this change.

With the manager's faster and more rotation-based approach of attack, Liverpool are vulnerable to fast breaks, with fewer players supporting the play. This requires forward players like Wirtz to counter-press with intensity when the possession is lost.

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

This combination is taxing physically, and several of his poor possession actions may be down to tiredness. Among all players to play significant game time in the Premier League this campaign, the midfielder has covered the fifth most distance per 90 minutes and the highest of any club player.

In a recent interview with Sky Sports Germany, the player spoke about the contrast in his performances this season compared to the previous year.

He said the manager had expressed a opinion "it might be because we press a frequently and I run a lot".

The midfielder added: "To illustrate, the distance covered statistics: I'm always at the forefront in that category because I try to push hard and do what the coach asks. I need a significant strength and energy for that. Whenever I have the possession, I could be missing a small amount. That this will simply develop progressively, as I gain more experience, get fitter, become capable to perform actions more easily, and subsequently, when I have the ball, become {fit|conditioned