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Liverpool legend John Barnes is adamant Florian Wirtz will come good at Liverpool, and believes the German has already been “very good” for the Reds.
Wirtz has had a difficult start to life at Anfield, with his form coming under the microscope after failing to register a goal in his 16 appearances since making a record-breaking move from Bayer Leverkusen, while recording just three assists.
In fact, the 23-year-old is yet to make a goal contribution in the Premier League, with Liverpool’s title defense stuttering after falling eight points behind Arsenal. Wirtz though has offered glimpses of his talent, especially during the most recent international break.
There is plenty of discussion about his start at Liverpool though, leading to some quite bizarre claims coming from the German media this week pinning the blame for his struggles solely on Mohamed Salah.
Barnes though has offered up an alternative view on Wirtz, and insists that he has been playing well, with Liverpool trying to adjust to his methods.
Asked whether he thinks Wirtz will come good at Liverpool, Barnes told the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast: “I think he will because, in fact, he has been doing okay. He’s been playing well, he’s been creative.
“But I think that is because the team hasn’t been consistent and we’re looking at him as part of that inconsistency.
“But in terms of when he’s on the ball and what he does, I think he’s been very good. The problem we have is that before when we’re a team who pass the ball much quicker, get the ball forward quicker.
“Now we’re having many more touches in midfield, many more touches up front, which means that when teams get back behind the ball with 10 men, and we’re having Wirtz or [Hugo] Ekitike who is a good dribbler, it’s difficult to get through them as you saw against Man City.
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“Whereas in the old days, we’d have one or two passes that would get it forward quickly. So we’re finding our feet with that. And these are still young and inexperienced players for the Premier League.”
Wirtz will be returning to Liverpool this week following the international break, and will be hoping to carry his impressive form for Germany back to Merseyside as Arne Slot’s side aims to make up some ground on Arsenal in the title race.
The Reds take on Nottingham Forest on Saturday before turning their attention to the Champions League as they host PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.
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