The second part of Liverpool legend John Aldridge's ECHO column looks at Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak
Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak
Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak
Florian Wirtz is quickly finding out that the Premier League is not the Bundesliga following his introduction to Liverpool this season. Opponents are pinpointing the Germany international as the dangerman now at Anfield and he has been tightly marked in all four of the Reds' games so far. I think he is still adjusting to the lack of space that he previously used to enjoy for Bayer Leverkusen but he will get there in time, he is such a smooth player to watch.
Arne Slot might have to tweak one or two things to get Wirtz properly purring but he has shown flashes of quality and good players often find themselves being crowded out because other teams quickly figure out they are the ones who can make things happen.
I think this is happening at the moment for Wirtz and he reminds me a bit of the great Peter Beardsley in his movements, he is such a silky player at times, he almost glides across the turf in his movements.
When you come with a price tag, the demands and the expectations are instant and it has been no different for Wirtz, who moved from Leverkusen for a fee that could eventually be worth £116m, with £100m of that coming up front. He was a club-record signing before Alexander Isak joined, let's not forget.
That being said, the value shows how good a player he is and the fact he is still only 22 is proof that his career is very much still in its infancy. He just needs to be himself, play his natural game and it will become clear to everyone why he came with such a reputation and a price tag soon enough.
He has no control over the fee that has been paid for him and he will only get better and better. With the two games against Atletico Madrid and Everton at Anfield this week, it feels like the perfect time for him to properly come to the party.
Patience needed over Isak
I am pretty sure we will see Alexander Isak take his first steps towards Liverpool stardom this week.
I think a lot of people were surprised when he was left out of the squad for Sunday's win at Burnley but you have to remember how little he has played since the end of last season.
Behind the scenes there will be plenty of work ongoing to get him up to speed and when I was a player, the club used to organise behind-closed-doors games against the likes of Accrington and Tranmere Rovers in an effort to get players up to speed quicker.
It is different now, of course, but he still needs match fitness, which might come in the Champions League on Wednesday night against Atletico Madrid. He will be as fit as anyone else in the squad and he has been training of course. Isak isn't carrying an injury and he has been working with his team-mates with Sweden and at Liverpool but the key thing is the match fitness, which is a totally different thing to just training.
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WELCOME to the second edition of Blood Red – your new monthly publication from the ECHO covering everything you need to know about what’s happening at Liverpool FC.
This month, our focus is on Europe as Liverpool's Champions League campaign kicks off with the Reds looking to bring home European Cup number 7. As well as a pull-out fixtures guide to the group phase, we profile every other club in the competition.
Our writers cover Arne Slot’s side all season long, home, away and abroad, seven days a week, and this special second edition of Blood Red is full of their in-depth features, analysis and comment.
There's also an interview with Voice of Anfield George Sephton who looks back at his time at the club, we review the big tactical talking points of the season's opening games, and we preview the next month of action as the Champions combine their bid to defend their Premier League crown with the start of their mission for Champions League glory.
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The great thing for Liverpool, of course, is that when he is near full speed, he won't need three or four chances to get his goals. Liverpool have a world-class striker on their hands, once he is 100%.
Isak has simply been unfortunate in that he has been caught up in the politics of football over his move from Newcastle and Liverpool need to be patient with him now. There is no need to rush anything and he has signed a six-year-contract at the age of 25, time is on his side.
In his absence Hugo Ekitike has been doing a fine job leading the line and even Rio Ngumoha, at 17, looks like he has a massive future at the club, so there is no need to take any risks with Isak due to these reasons.