Florian Wirtz has a Liverpool problem that even Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak can't resolve

Florian Wirtz was always going to be the center of attention at Liverpool. When you come in for a fee that could reach $157 million (£116 million), that much is inevitable.

As one of the very best young players in the world, he is more than capable of living up to those expectations too. And though he has not been as bad as some might want to make out so far in England, things undeniably haven't clicked for him. There have been glimpses, but he is yet to really take any game by the scruff of the neck.

Wirtz is a technically gifted playmaker, operating in a role that didn't really exist in Arne Slot's system last season. And around him, he has Alexander Isak getting up to speed and an out-of-sorts Mohamed Salah. That, clearly, is mitigation.

Even in games where he should have been able to leave more of an impact, however, like against Burnley and Galatasaray, he hasn't really shone. In both instances, there was a fundamental problem.

Quite simply, the 22-year-old is being shrugged off the ball too easily. At times, the pace of the game going on around Wirtz has seemed to take him by surprise.

But more than that, the powerful players tasked with nicking the ball back from him have been able to use their muscle to get ahead of his silky touches and intelligent positioning. As soon as possible, that needs to change.

There were times in Philippe Coutinho's career when he looked unable to handle the physicality. Adam Lallana was another often bullied off the ball in the early days.

But each of them improved their strength and sped up their decision-making, which ultimately led them to show their peak form.

Adding some more grit to their elegance unlocked another level of their game. It is that kind of transformation that Wirtz must undertake.

Liverpool bought him for his ability in possession and game-changing, generational goalscoring and creative talents. Until he is able to withstand tackles and keep hold of the ball for longer, though, they will go to waste.

"The focus is always on the new signings, which is normal if you see the amount of money," Arne Slot told Amazon Prime on Tuesday.

"Especially first half, Florian was many times involved in dangerous situations that we created. Maybe not everyone is adjusted to each other."

At Chelsea on Saturday, there will be another chance for Wirtz to take a step in the right direction. A goal there would go a long way to increasing his confidence.

Physically, however, is where the biggest change in his performance level can be unlocked. Either by bulking up or simply getting used to the speed of the game so he can be two steps ahead of everyone else, he needs to find a way of getting around his slight frame.

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