Florian Wirtz has not been able to play his best football since joining Liverpool in the summer.
The Reds have been struggling a lot at the start of the season, but no one has had a harder start than Wirtz.
The German has a lot of pressure on his shoulders due to the transfer fee he commanded, and so far he has not managed to cope.
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Arne Slot has tried him in multiple different positions and given him a fair crack of the whip to make it work, but everything he has tried simply has not worked.
However, Wirtz may have just shown his manager exactly what he needs to do to get the best out of him, with the Dutchman likely debating it in his head.
Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz kicks the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification Group A football match between Germany and Slovakia
Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images
Florian Wirtz needs to be given more freedom
Wirtz for the Germany national team is a completely different player, with absolutely everything going through the 22-year-old.
However, this is because he is given a very different role and is allowed to play with more freedom, which clearly works given his performance against Slovakia.
Despite mainly operating on the left, Wirtz was allowed to come inside and play as the number 10 too, with the Liverpool man playing in both roles to some degree.
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But this worked well as he gave himself a lot more space, which is exactly what he needs to create the chances everyone knows he is capable of.
As per sofascore, he registered two assists, made six key passes and created three big chances, showing just how influential he can be when on form.
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Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool lines up before the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium
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What he needs now is to be given this freedom at Liverpool and for the team to be built around his needs to some degree, as if it is, then the Reds could be a truly unstoppable force.
Florian Wirtz still needs to adapt his game
Although it is clear he has the talent and that it is not solely his fault for his slow start at Anfield, Wirtz still needs to learn how to play Premier League football.
Having more freedom is certainly something that will benefit him, but he will not get that sort of time or space in English football.
Teams will know to double up on him and stay tight, so he needs to learn how to impact the game with very few touches of the ball.
Of course, this is something that could come easily as he is still only 22, but given that he cost £116m, Liverpool fans will be hoping he can adapt sooner rather than later.