Explaining why the £116 million star has disappointed at Liverpool

Florian Wirtz has yet to perform at a level that justifies his £116 million fee at Liverpool, as Danny Murphy points out the main issue for the young German talent is his adjustment to the Premier League.

High expectations come with immense pressure. Florian Wirtz, Liverpool’s £116 million signing, is still struggling to prove his worth in his initial months at Anfield. After an exciting start with an assist to Hugo Ekitike in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace, the German player has gone over two months without scoring or assisting again.

Wirtz’s silence on the scoresheet has sparked much debate among experts. Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes the main reason the 22-year-old star hasn’t exploded onto the scene lies not in tactics but in his ability to adapt to the new environment.

Speaking on Wetbasis, Murphy explained: “One week Wirtz plays with Ekitike, the next week it’s Isak. The right wing is consistent, but the left wing keeps changing. He also lacks fixed midfield partners, which is very important for a number 10 player. When you play in this position, you need to know who will pass early and who you can trust to build attacks.”

According to Murphy, Wirtz faces a double challenge: adapting to the Premier League’s intense pace and physicality, while also coping with enormous expectations from fans and the British media. “He has to get used to facing teams with strong physical foundations like Newcastle or Arsenal, and adapt very quickly. On top of that, there’s pressure from fans who expect a £100 million star to always shine”

Nevertheless, Murphy remains confident in Wirtz’s potential: “I have seen enough moments of class not to worry. His biggest issue is adjusting to the league’s speed, which can only be achieved through regular playing time. Once his body and mind adapt, his talent will naturally emerge”

In reality, although his goal output is low, Wirtz remains the player who has created the most chances for Liverpool across all competitions this season. In the match against Chelsea, his first touch after coming on was a pass that set up a scoring opportunity for Mohamed Salah, a chance the “Egyptian King” rarely misses.

“If Salah scores, people would talk about Wirtz in a completely different way. He also created clear chances for Salah and Frimpong in the Everton game, but neither took advantage,” Murphy emphasized.

Currently, Florian Wirtz is training with the German national team to prepare for the match against Northern Ireland. Despite a challenging start at Liverpool, positive statistics and expert assessments suggest the young midfielder still has ample time to adapt and prove his worth in the Premier League.