Key Takeaways
- Florian Wirtz has managed only three assists despite creating the second-most chances in the Premier League.
- Everton man-marked the 22-year-old out of the derby, showing he is still adjusting to England’s speed.
- Liverpool’s late win again came from veteran stars, underlining the gap Wirtz must fill next season.
The record fee is rising faster than the influence of Florian Wirtz. Eight months after Liverpool paid Bayer Leverkusen £116 million for the Germany playmaker, the 22-year-old is still waiting for his first true Anfield moment.
Wednesday’s tense 1-0 defeat of Everton offered little relief. James Garner shadowed Wirtz from kick-off, nudging him off the ball and rushing his first touches. When space opened, the midfielder asked for an extra second that the Premier League rarely grants. Too often the move died at his feet.
Arne Slot ended the experiment with seven minutes left, replacing Wirtz as Liverpool chased a winner that finally arrived through Virgil van Dijk in stoppage-time. Once again the seniors delivered; the new wave watched.
Numbers hint at promise. Only Bruno Fernandes has fashioned more scoring chances in the league, yet Wirtz has just three assists to show for it. A rotating cast of forwards, injuries and poor form have robbed him of the consistent runs he fed on in the Bundesliga. Telepathy takes time, and time is a luxury Mohamed Salah’s farewell tour is using up.
Physicality is another lesson. Everton barged the 1.77 m Wirtz off the ball repeatedly, a fate David Silva also faced when he arrived in England. Silva, however, added snap to his glide, something coaches want Wirtz to copy.
Fellow recruit Alexander Isak, another nine-figure buy, is also stuck in first gear after a broken leg and missed pre-season. The pair symbolise a campaign of transition for the champions: big cheques written, but chapters still blank.
A top-four finish would return Liverpool to the Champions League, the stage Wirtz craves to prove his price tag can still become a bargain. First, he must show the fight that right now is coming only from the club’s thirty-something stalwarts.