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If you were to tune into social media as your only gauge for how well Florian Wirtz has done so far since making the $157-million (£116M) move from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool, you would be forgiven for thinking that he was completely out of his depth.
As ever, though, the extremities of the online narrative — seeping, sometimes, into the real world too — far from tell the full story. Sure, Wirtz is yet to score or assist for Liverpool, but his potential is obvious to those watching more closely.
Sometimes, you can just tell from the way a player caresses the ball that they have the potential to be world-class. Wirtz, without question, has that indescribable silkiness to him.
It would be remiss not to point out, of course, that the 22-year-old is still getting used to the demands of the English game, and that he will need to improve his core strength and fitness to match the demands of playing in the Premier League for Arne Slot.
But those things will come in time. So too will the goal contributions for a player who looked determined to prove a point when he was introduced at the interval against Chelsea.
Liverpool looked much better in the second half and was able to create more chances. Wirtz was a central part of that, shown by the first touch that he had in the game: a backheel into the path of Mohamed Salah.
That moment was one that showed both his quality and his confidence. Minutes later, he was chasing down from the front, leading the press with enthusiasm and vigor.
Had Salah not fired wide — had he instead drawn Liverpool level around a minute into the second half — Wirtz would have been the hero. But the margins are fine.
Dropping deep at times to collect possession and progress the ball upfield, the German displayed his passing range and ability to evade tackles and keep the ball under pressure, at one point skippping around several challenges.
It can simultaneously be true that there are elements of his game that still need to be improved, and that the player that Liverpool has signed looks increasingly ready to ignite.
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This was another part of a performance, rather than a full 90 minutes, where he didn't get the reward of a goal or the recognition of an assist.
What it was, though, is another pointer of what Wirtz can be — and indeed what Liverpool can be.
As it stands, Alexander Isak is battling to get up to full sharpness and Salah is misfiring. The Reds' number 10, then, is hardly alone in needing more time. Collectively, there is a need for things to gel.
The flashes that Liverpool has seen so far, however — the flicked pass, the relentless running, and the ability to glide past opponents much larger in size — show what Slot will have when everything comes together.
When Wirtz clicks, it is likely Liverpool will too.
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