Florian Wirtz: From Bundesliga Flair to Premier League Challenges

Liverpool's £116m signing Florian Wirtz has faced a rocky start since moving from Bayer Leverkusen, with analysis showing he’s yet to fully adapt to the demands of the Premier League.

Wirtz's limited output: The German attacker has scored once and provided an assist in nine appearances, with his only Premier League goal coming in the Community Shield loss to Crystal Palace. Critics like former England striker Wayne Rooney have questioned his immediate impact, with Rooney calling his £116m signing "damaging the balance" of Liverpool's midfield.

"He's a top player and I'm sure he will get better - but he's had a slow start,"

said Rooney.

Role mismatch: Wirtz has been asked to operate deeper than his Leverkusen role, dropping into midfield to redistribute possession. At Leverkusen, he was often positioned wider, receiving the ball in advanced zones to exploit spaces. Now, Liverpool’s system demands he play a double pivot or central midfield role, reducing his goal threat.

Physical and technical demands: Wirtz’s work rate has been immense, contributing to the fifth-highest distance covered per 90 minutes in the Premier League (per Opta). However, this has impacted his technical sharpness. Compared to his Leverkusen days, he now faces intense pressing in transitions while also dropping deep to build play. Critics argue he needs clearer positioning to thrive, suggesting either a return to a wider role or pairing him with a more creative midfielder like Curtis Jones.

What can Liverpool do?:

• Optimize positioning: Use Wirtz on the left flank initially, where he can exploit half-space spaces with his technical dribbling, similar to Everton’s Jack Grealish.

• Reduce role demands: Balance Wirtz’s build-up duties to free him to attack in advanced zones when Liverpool’s midfield is stretched.

• Address defensive gaps: Find ways to compensate for Trent Alexander-Arnold's absence, possibly through a more balanced midfield structure.

Conclusion: Wirtz’s Premier League journey underscores the challenges of adapting to a new league’s tactical and physical demands. While his technical quality is undeniable, Liverpool may need to tweak their setup to maximize his strengths and mitigate his current vulnerabilities.
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