Florian Wirtz has confidently predicted that he will soon start contributing goals and assists for Liverpool, and admitted he has been unlucky in the early months of his career at Anfield.
The German, who signed from Bayer Leverkusen last summer for a fee of up to £116 million ($132M), has endured a slow start at Liverpool. He is yet to provide a Premier League goal or assist despite making 12 appearances.
But his performances have slowly improved, with displays against Eintracht Frankfurt, Real Madrid and West Ham United in recent weeks offering clear signs that he is adjusting to the English game. In the latter, Wirtz was voted player of the match, and excelled in an attacking midfield role.
The 22-year-old was unfortunate that several dangerous passes were not converted by teammates, while Wirtz squandered a gilt-edge chance in the latter stages of the first half.
But after the encouraging display, Wirtz feels confident a first goal involvement is coming.
“I was really happy to start, because I was out for two games,” said Wirtz, who returned from injury in the win at the London Stadium “I was happy the manager decided to play me.
“I tried to give my best and to help to turn it around that we start to win games again. I'm happy that I could give my best to this.
Florian Wirtz passes the ball
Jamie Carragher claimed Florian Wirtz put in his best Premier League appearance so far in the win over West Ham
“I was playing more as a No. 10; I had the freedom to go to free spaces and create an overload. I tried to just make the possession better, tried to create chances.
"I had also one or two chances where I could score but I'm a bit unlucky at the moment, so I'll keep going.
"I'm happy that I made a good game and could help the team to win. Everything else [in terms of goals and assists] will come soon," he added, speaking to the club’s website.
Florian Wirtz
Wirtz provided two assists in October's Champions League over Frankfurt (Image: Getty Images)
"I don't put too much pressure on myself because I know what I can do on the pitch. And when I can help the team win like this, I'm also happy."
While Wirtz is yet to provide an assist in the Premier League, he has managed three in the cup competitions this season.
Wednesday’s game against Sunderland could offer a timely opportunity for the two-time Bundesliga player of the year to break his duck, although Slot has hinted he may rest the midfielder.
"So let’s see how players feel. Florian [Wirtz], for an example, has missed one and a half, two weeks of training, so for him to already play so many minutes was a good thing,” the Liverpool head coach said when asked about the squad’s fitness levels.
He added a decision on whether Wirtz is ready to start will be made after Tuesday’s training session.