'It seems he's under a spell' – German media gives verdict on another nearly night for Florian Wirtz

Florian Wirtz was presented with Germany's Player of the Year award ahead of a comfortable 4-0 victory for his country over Luxermbourg in World Cup qualifying.

The 22-year-old has faced some criticism since moving to Liverpool, but it is surely only a matter of time before he finds his feet in the Premier League and discovers the form that made him one of the most expensive players of all time in the summer.

Despite Germany cruising to a comfortable win in Sinsheim, it was another nearly night for Wirtz — one on which he worked hard and attempted to create, but nothing was quite coming to fruition.

He struck the post with a free-kick, and also created a number of presentable chances for his teammates, only for them to fluff their lines when in on goal.

German outlet Bild acknowledged Wirtz's bad fortune in its player ratings from the game. "Our super-magician was just as he was recently in Liverpool: hard-working, but unlucky in many moves," it said.

"A Luxembourger's leg was always in the way, and his beautiful free kick in the second half hit the outside of the post. We wish him some much-needed goal relief."

Bild's player ratings range from 1 to 6, with 1 being the best and 6 being the worst; Wirtz received a 4 for his efforts.

Suddeutsche Zeitung praised Wirtz for producing "several superb chipped passes." It also suggested his hard work stood out from his teammates, saying: "Wirtz, in particular, tried hard, dribbling and shooting, but didn't score."

Providing a comprehensive assessment of Wirtz's night's work, Der Spiegel wrote: "He escaped the close marking by moving to the wing, brimming with energy, even if he initially got tangled up in his dribbling.

"Before the penalty kick that made it 2-0, he managed a chipped ball behind the net, which teammate Kimmich likely should have warned about for copyright infringement.

"On a counterattack in the 32nd minute, he set up Woltemade perfectly, and then Kimmich shortly before halftime, but, as in Liverpool, his teammates' proliferation of chances seemed to deny him the assists he deserved.

"Just over an hour later, his free kick hit the post. It seems he's under a spell."

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