Daniel Sturridge explains biggest Florian Wirtz change he's seen at Liverpool - 'What I love'

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Florian Wirtz has seen his impact grow at Liverpool in recent games, and Daniel Sturridge feels a change from Arne Slot has made all the difference for the German international

Daniel Sturridge has praised Florian Wirtz's recent impact at Liverpool

Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has hailed Florian Wirtz’s recent impact at the club, and feels a change made by Arne Slot has made all the difference.

After a tough start to life at Anfield following his record-breaking move from Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz’s influence has grown in recent weeks. The 22-year-old grabbed his first Premier League assist when setting up Alexander Isak against Tottenham, before scoring his first goal a week later against Wolves.

The German international’s growing impact comes amid Slot revealing he has been on a weight-gain programme after initially struggling with the intensity of the Premier League.

Slot has also moved Wirtz out to the left in recent games, having utilized him more centrally earlier in the season, and Sturridge feels that has made a huge difference.

“He’s been brilliant the last few weeks, getting a lot more confidence, picking up the right pockets, and he’s occupying an area that he’s used to occupying,” Sturridge said on Sky Sports ahead of Liverpool’s game against Leeds.

Florian Wirtz has grabbed his first Premier League goal and assist in his last two games for Liverpool(Image: Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

“I think that gives him a bit more freedom on the pitch. When you’re in that No.10 area and your back’s behind the goal, and you’ve got people pressing you from all angles, in a new league with high intensity, it’s not an easy job for you.

“For me, it’s kind of given him a bit more of a free role off that left side. You can be on the half-turn, you can drop your shoulder, you can get in areas, and that’s what I love about him.

“Some of the things he does, the combinations in that final third, absolutely exemplary, and those passes he’s giving the striker, you can’t ask for more.”

Despite plenty of questions being asked of him during those early stages of his Anfield career, Wirtz has insisted he was never in doubt that he would eventually get his first goal for Liverpool, having been denied a few weeks earlier against Sunderland.

"It was very nice the feeling on the pitch with the fans around. I was very happy and I still am," Wirtz said after the win over Wolves.

"I was confident that I would score one day. I wanted to start earlier scoring and assisting but it was like this and I have to accept it. I just know that it will come and I try to keep going like that."