Florian Wirtz has been offered support by Germany teammate and Bayern Munich man Joshua Kimmich, following a difficult start to life at Liverpool.
Wirtz’s start to his Liverpool career hasn’t gone exactly as planned, having failed to score so far and generally looking bereft of confidence.
While it hasn’t all been bad – the 22-year-old has demonstrated the magic in his boots on occasion – Wirtz has come in for criticism.
His national team captain has offered his support, though, and even contacted the Liverpool attacker to talk.
“I’ve contacted him but there’s absolutely no reason for him to doubt himself,” Kimmich told Welt am Sonntag (h/t Bild).
“Flo has the perfect blend of quality and mentality that will always lead you to the top as a player in the long run. He has to remain patient and, of course, is also dependent on his team.”
Wirtz hasn’t hit the ground running at Liverpool, but there can be no doubting his potential.
Already playing at an arguably world-class level in the Bundesliga, the youngster was pursued by Man City and Kimmich’s Bayern Munich before signing for Liverpool.
What is the plan for Florian Wirtz?
Over £116 million was the fee to secure him from Bayer Leverkusen on a long-term deal, with Wirtz now earning about £200,000 per week on Merseyside.
However, it was the footballing project rather than money that convinced Wirtz Anfield was his next destination.
His father and agent, Hans-Joachim Wirtz, explained to Der Spiegel: “Arne Slot was able to convince Florian of his athletic abilities.
“He’s also a very pleasant person. Florian’s best coaches were always those who gave him a lot of freedom, and those with the greatest empathy also reached Florian.
“He finds the English game interesting because it thrives on pace and dynamism. Arne Slot presented his playing philosophy, the team tactics for possession and pressing, and how Florian can develop his strengths in these areas.
“This made a decisive impression on Florian.”
Slot clearly had a plan in place for his new attacker and it is this that has made Liverpool’s start to the campaign so puzzling.
With the Reds struggling, Slot has moved Wirtz around in an attempt to find a winning formula, playing the German on both flanks, as a central attacking midfielder and even dropping him on occasion.
The flip-flopping around Wirtz is part of a bigger issue with the system that has left Liverpool exposed in midfield.
The scrapping of last season’s solid midfield three, combined with a change in full-backs and the extra year in Mo Salah‘s legs, has allowed opposition sides to easily play through Liverpool.
At the same time, when Liverpool do get the ball to Wirtz, who is steadily improving, the Reds’ out-of-form forwards have too often failed to capitalise – as an example, just take Salah’s miss at Chelsea following the youngster’s sublime flick.
Liverpool have Wirtz on a five-year contract; there is no need to worry yet.
However, the next phase of Liverpool’s development must get the best out of Wirtz and Alexander Isak. Liverpool aren’t a club that can afford to spend over £100m on individuals who don’t make the grade.
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