Florian Wirtz was always likely to take some time to adapt to a new league. At the age of 22 and with high expectations, though, he still has plenty of time to succeed at Liverpool — and the positive signs are already there.
While he didn't get credited with the goal against Sunderland as it was deflected past Robin Roefs, the German was the best player in a red jersey again, just as he was at West Ham a few days earlier. And Virgil van Dijk says though it might take time, Wirtz will show his full potential at Anfield in time.
"In the beginning, but that's normal," Van Dijk told reporters when asked if he had spoken to Wirtz about dealing with the $157 million (£116 million) transfer fee.
"At the end of the day, you can talk about it as much as you want, do whatever you want, but you have to deal with it yourself. You have to experience it and he did.
"He was injured before the West Ham game but for him he just has to keep going. He is still such a young, talented boy who came to the club for a lot of money but he didn't pay that money; he's part of the bigger picture of trying to be a success here.
"It's about getting going. Start working and just enjoy being part of the biggest club in the world and fight for the badge and show your qualities each and every day.
"I'm pretty sure it will be fine but at the moment we are all trying to find consistency on the pitch with our results and we need everyone in their best shape. He needs us in our best shape and we need him in our best shape and that's what we're trying to find."
Florian Wirtz impressed for Liverpool against Sunderland.
Florian Wirtz impressed for Liverpool against Sunderland. (Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Behind the scenes, Wirtz has been impressing in training. Slowly but surely, he is adjusting to the demands of the Premier League— and that was always going to be the case for a 22-year-old.
"There's a very good reason why a club like us bought him: he's an outstanding, world-class player in my eyes who can only become even better but it will take a bit of time," Van Dijk continued.
"For him he has to stay level-headed, don't get too high, don't get too low. Don't get dragged into the outside world of when it's very good or very bad and don't get dragged into the numbers game.
"Nowadays there are a lot of eyes on if you score goals or have an assist or keep clean sheets but it is also about what you see and the contribution you have for the team, that's not just shown in the numbers but in what you see and that should sometimes be the focus.
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"For him, it is about keeping his head down, keep playing, keep working. We all know how quickly things can change.
"For him, it is to stay level-headed, try to be important on the pitch and keep working with the team. Today he was involved in the equalizer but he did many other good things, in the last game as well."
While Wirtz was a positive, Liverpool's attack was not firing on all cylinders against Sunderland. Alexander Isak was anonymous and Cody Gakpo was taken off at half-time because he wasn't winning his one-vs-one duels.
“That's absolutely normal, unfortunately," Van Dijk said. "It takes a bit of time, the pressing, the moments when we come to the final third we want to make that work as soon as possible.
"It's what we all want on the pitch and what we train, but it doesn't always work like that. When we have training, we train on all those things.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during the Premier League game against Sunderland.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during the Premier League game against Sunderland. (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
"The positive I felt was that we didn't concede many chances, were solid defensively and that's something to build on. Unfortunately, we conceded a goal with a shot from I don't know how far and a massive deflection, and that was obviously not great.
“Today you saw, especially after the equalizer, they made sure there were almost 11 players in their own box, and then when the ball comes out, there are I don't know how many meters of open space they could gamble on.
"You have to be ready for your 'rest' defense, be ready for what if the ball gets out. You have to take responsibility and communicate: these things are part of football, and when I am in the back line, or someone else is in the back line, and I'm up for a corner, then they have to organize it as well.
"It's a big part of football, a 'rest' defense, and today it almost cost us in one moment: Fede (Federico Chiesa) recovered it with Ali (Alisson Becker) and I'm glad he did."