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

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

Several commentators have gone further. Ex- England striker the Manchester United legend stated the expensive acquisition "damages the balance" of Liverpool's structure.

"He's a top player and I'm confident he will get better - but he's had a slow start and I think there's no denying that," said Rooney.

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

In this analysis we examine how effective he has been, why he isn't performing as expected so far, and how the club could extract the best out of him.

Liverpool's equilibrium is disrupted, but they are clearly experiencing a period of change.

Manager the Dutch tactician has altered his approach this season - and perhaps the loss of right-back the England international created greater challenges than anticipated.

Following a comparable pattern to the manager's Feyenoord team, the Premier League side are attempting to play with a greater number of rotations between teammates, progressing through the central areas of the field with quick, small-space combination play.

This logically explains for Wirtz to be the central creative hub to knit everything collectively.

But, in reality, he has been asked to do a role that is slightly different from one he is used to.

This has reduced how frequently he finds himself in situations to find the net or create chances.

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

The midfielder is getting the ball further back with increasing frequency.

The right-back was impressive in his capability to distribute the ball when operating deep, and the team seem significantly lacking that attribute.

Captain the Dutch defender's diagonal passes to forward Mohamed Salah is a great way for them to move the ball forward reliably. Otherwise, the squad lack the distribution ability in defence to find team-mates up the field.

That responsibility has been placed on the young German at times. He has been dropping deep to get the ball before turning and attempting to drive it up the pitch. He is able to perform this role because of his skill level, but it is limiting the time he spends near the opposing net.

If build-up responsibilities can be taken by another player, it potentially allows Wirtz to operate higher up the pitch.

Curtis Jones has the capability to do this in a central midfield partnership or on the left wing, and may be an alternative the manager could turn to as he looks to enhance Wirtz's preferred style.

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

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

During his time at Bayer Leverkusen, there were matches in which Wirtz would stand on the left flank while his colleagues advanced the play up the pitch before finding him.

Alternatively, he would operate in middle advanced midfield areas, especially against sides that provided more room between the defensive units in matches that became more transitional in style.

Former Bayer boss Xabi Alonso profiled the talent effectively because both of these scenarios would allow him to get the ball with separation - meaning he could collect and carry forward with distance between himself and a opponent.

To get the maximum out of the player, delivering the ball to him when there is not instant pressure on him is ideal.

When he is capable to collect the play on the half-turn and carry it ahead - with space between himself and the closest opponent - he is capable to use deceptive movements and a variation in speed to disrupt opposition defences.

In a similar manner to Everton forward the England international, his best performances both on the dribble and in his passing comes from situations in which he is driving with the possession and running at defenders.

That is why several of the German's best instances this campaign have occurred in transitions.

Space can be created by deploying him on the wing initially or by finding him in the center quickly. If he is operating between the defensive units, particularly when an opposition's structure is spread, colleagues must accordingly play 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 completely adjusted to this change.

Under Slot's quicker and more rotation-based style of attack, Liverpool are vulnerable to fast breaks, with fewer players behind the ball. This demands attackers like the midfielder to press immediately with intensity when the ball is lost.

The young talent has completely committed to the out-of-possession directives and has pressed energetically. In attack, he is being instructed to retreat to assist in constructing play while having the freedom to contribute to attacks on both the left and right flank.

This combination is taxing on fitness, and some of his poor on-the-ball actions may be attributed to tiredness. Among all players to feature significant game time in the top division this season, the German has covered the fifth-highest distance per 90 minutes and the highest of all club player.

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

He said the manager had voiced a view "it might be because we harass a frequently and I cover ground a lot".

The midfielder added: "To illustrate, the distance covered statistics: I'm consistently at the forefront in that category because I attempt to push hard and do what the manager demands. I require a significant power and stamina for that. When I have the ball, I might be lacking a little bit. That this will gradually come step by step, as I gain more experience, improve physically, become capable to do things more effortlessly, and subsequently, when I have the play, become {fit|conditioned