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

Assessment of the German midfielder's initial nine games for Liverpool has typically reached the same conclusion - it has been an disappointing start.

Several commentators have gone further. Ex- Three Lions striker Wayne Rooney said the expensive acquisition "disrupts the equilibrium" of Liverpool's setup.

"He is a top player and I'm sure he will get better - but he's had a slow start and I think there's no denying that," said the former striker.

The young German is yet to score or register an assist for his current team, but does that paint the complete story?

Here we explore how effective he has performed, why he isn't performing as expected yet, and how the club could extract the best out of him.

The squad's balance is disrupted, but they are evidently going through a phase of transition.

Manager the Dutch tactician has altered his approach this campaign - and possibly the loss of defender Trent Alexander-Arnold created bigger questions than anticipated.

In a similar approach to the manager's Feyenoord team, Liverpool are looking to play with a greater number of rotations between players, advancing through the central areas of the field with rapid, tight-area combination play.

It therefore makes sense for the attacking midfielder to be the central creative hub to connect everything collectively.

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

And that has reduced how often he finds himself in positions to score or create chances.

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

The midfielder is receiving the ball further back more often.

The right-back was impressive in his ability to distribute the play when playing deep, and Liverpool seem sorely missing that attribute.

Captain the Dutch defender's long switch to attacker the Egyptian winger is a effective method for them to get the play up the pitch reliably. Alternatively, the squad lack the distribution ability in their defensive line to find teammates up the field.

This duty has been placed on the young German at times. He has been dropping deep to receive the possession before turning and attempting to carry it forward. He is able to perform this role because of his skill level, but it is reducing the time he spends close to the opposing goal.

Should build-up duties can be taken by a different teammate, it possibly enables Wirtz to operate higher up the pitch.

The academy graduate has the capability to do this in a central midfield partnership or on the left wing, and may be an alternative Slot could consider as he aims to enhance the German's preferred style.

Among the most significant contrasts Wirtz is experiencing in the Premier League is the reduced space and increased pressure applied to him.

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

For Bayer Leverkusen, there were matches in which the midfielder would stand on the left wing while his team-mates progressed the play up the pitch before passing to him.

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

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

To get the maximum out of the player, delivering the possession to him when there is not immediate pressure on him is optimal.

Whenever he is capable to collect the play on the half-turn and carry it ahead - with space between himself and the nearby opponent - he is able to use deceptive movements and a variation in speed to destabilize opposition defensive structures.

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

That is why several of Wirtz's most impressive instances this campaign 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 operating between the lines, especially when an rival team's defensive shape is spread, colleagues must accordingly play direct balls to locate the midfielder.

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

With the manager's quicker and more position-switching style of offensive play, Liverpool are susceptible to counter-attacks, with reduced players supporting the play. This demands forward players like the midfielder to press immediately with energy when the possession is lost.

The young talent has fully committed to the defensive directives and has pressed energetically. In attack, he is being encouraged to drop deep to help in building up while having the freedom to participate to offensive moves on both the left side and right flank.

This combination is demanding physically, and some of his poor possession actions may be down to tiredness. Among all footballers to feature significant game time in the top division this campaign, the midfielder has run the fifth most distance per full match and the most of any club player.

During a recent discussion with Sky Sports Germany, the player discussed the difference in his performances this campaign compared to last.

He stated Slot had voiced a view "it might be because we harass a frequently and I run a lot".

Wirtz continued: "For example, the running stats: I am consistently at the top in that category because I try to exert maximum effort and execute what the manager demands. I need a significant strength and stamina for that. When I have the possession, I could be lacking a small amount. The expectation this will gradually come progressively, as I play more games, get fitter, become capable to perform actions more effortlessly, and subsequently, whenever I have the play, become {fit|conditioned