Not Salah or van Dijk, Wirtz points out the most impressive player at Liverpool

Despite sharing the field with elite players such as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, Florian Wirtz claims that Ryan Gravenberch is the standout player at Liverpool.

When asked who stands out the most in the Reds' locker room, Wirtz surprised many with his choice. He didn’t mention Salah—the leading scorer—nor the defensive captain Van Dijk or record signing Alexander Isak, but instead praised Gravenberch. Speaking to Sky Sports, the German midfielder said: "The player who is currently performing exceptionally well is Gravenberch. He truly stands out at the moment."

Wirtz’s assessment is well-founded. In last week's Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton, Gravenberch was the difference-maker. He scored the opening goal, assisted Hugo Ekitike to seal the 2-1 victory, and led the team with 5 successful tackles. His all-around contribution in attack and defense has made the Dutchman Liverpool’s brightest spark recently.

In contrast to Gravenberch’s rise, Wirtz has been going through a tough time at Anfield. After a breakthrough season with Bayer Leverkusen, where he scored 57 goals and provided 62 assists in 197 matches, the 22-year-old star joined Liverpool for £117 million, with expectations to quickly become the new midfield maestro.

However, since arriving in the Premier League, Wirtz has yet to make a significant impact. Apart from an assist in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace, he hasn’t directly contributed to any goals. The pressure of a huge transfer fee, fierce midfield competition, and adapting to a new environment have left Wirtz struggling to regain his form.

The peak of this challenge was the recent Merseyside derby, where Wirtz was relegated to the bench while Gravenberch shone on the pitch. Although Liverpool won, this moment motivated Wirtz to push harder to prove himself. He knows the upcoming matches, starting with the away game at Crystal Palace, are crucial opportunities to impress coach Arne Slot.

Despite not meeting expectations yet, Wirtz’s talent remains highly regarded. With his technique, tactical vision, and creativity that helped Leverkusen make history, he can fully integrate and flourish at Liverpool soon. The partnership between Wirtz and Gravenberch promises to provide the Reds with a powerful midfield duo, reigniting hopes of competing for titles this season.