A theory put forward by Richard Keys about Liverpool new boy Florian Wirtz may have been proven in the latest game played by the defending Premier League champions.
In the first of two league Merseyside derbies, Liverpool continued their unbeaten start to the season, beating their arch-rivals Everton 2-1 courtesy of goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike, both scored in the first half. It was the first match of the campaign in which Arne Slot’s side were not reliant on a late strike to win the game, though the Reds struggled somewhat in the second half.
Everton really came into the game after half-time, with Idrissa Gana Gueye pulling a goal back to give the Toffees a glimmer of hope of coming away from Anfield with something. Ultimately, despite a concerning second-half showing, Liverpool held on for the three points.
A big talking point of the match ahead of kick-off was that Florian Wirtz, who joined Liverpool for a then-British record transfer fee, was not starting for his new club. The German began the game on the bench, coming on for Cody Gakpo just after the hour mark.
Despite having half an hour to make an impression, Wirtz once again struggled to create much for his side. His performance, in fact, may have given further credence to a recent theory put forward about the Germany international.
‘He Has Been Anonymous’
As per SPORTbible, pundit Richard Keys discussed the Wirtz situation ahead of kick-off in the Merseyside derby. Speaking on beIN SPORTS in reference to his omission from the starting 11, Keys said:
“Does that mean [Wirtz] doesn’t have the tools that are required in the hurly burly of the Premier League when games matter? Is this based…do you think, on the fact he has been anonymous and barely got a kick against Arsenal…and this will be the same sort of game.”
The Bundesliga is, excluding the Premier League, perhaps the most physical league in Europe. With that being said, though, the English top flight in the modern era is a particularly robust division and often, arrivals from other countries need time to adapt.
Wirtz is certainly unaided by his price tag, which suggests that the midfielder should adapt immediately to whatever division he is in. Unfortunately for Wirtz, though, his cameo against Everton was more of what there has been in the season thus far.
Wirtz Woes Continue
Wirtz was introduced to the game against Everton at a point in which Liverpool needed to retain control, having conceded just moments prior to the German’s introduction.
Despite this, Wirtz hardly made a desired impression. As per SofaScore, the number 10 lost all six of the duels he was involved in, whilst he failed to fire a single shot towards goal. The former Bayer Leverkusen man was also unable to beat anybody on the dribble and made just one key pass inside around 30 minutes of action.
A young player who is still adapting to a new league, Wirtz has to be given time to get to his best. The money spent on him, though, makes this window shorter than it would be for many others.