The former Reds forward asked if the German needs a change in playing style to succeed
Wirtz has shown flashes of quality but struggled to consistently impress
Wirtz has shown flashes of quality but struggled to consistently impress(Image: Alex Dodd/Shutterstock)
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A former Liverpool striker who played alongside Steven Gerrard and Steve McManaman has told Reds fans to keep their patience with last summer's star signing Florian Wirtz, who endured a difficult first season at Anfield after the Reds broke their transfer record to sign him for up to £116million.
That record was broken later in the same summer by the signing of Alexander Isak, whose struggles with injury, fitness and form have been even more stark than his German counterpart.
Wirtz's reasonable return for goal contributions (seven goals and 10 assists from 49 appearances) doesn't tell the full story of a challenging adaptation period in which he was upstaged by the man many expected him to replace in Liverpool's starting line-up, Dominik Szoboszlai.
But Emile Heskey, who played alongside no shortage of great attacking midfielders for Liverpool and England, still has faith that Wirtz will go on to be a record-breaker on the pitch as well as the account books.
Speaking to betting site Hajper, Heskey even predicted the German international to eclipse Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes' recent playmaking record.
"Could Florian Wirtz go on to break the record for assists in a single season? You would like to think so," Heskey said. "That's why they spent all that money on him.
"I'd like to think he'll come good. He's just found it very difficult so far. I think Liverpool need to look at a change in their style of play to bring back a sense of energy and high intensity to get running at teams again."
Heskey's comments echo the concerns raised about Liverpool's playing style by Mohamed Salah on social media, which ultimately didn't affect Arne Slot's decision to pick him for his final appearance in red against Brentford.
They will no doubt also ring true for many supporters. While distance covered isn't everything, even a struggling Chelsea side outran Liverpool, having failed to outrun every one of their previous Premier League opponents when they drew 1-1 at Anfield earlier this month.
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Wirtz played his best football under Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, though the Bundesliga side played a brand of football not too dissimilar to how Slot's side won the Premier League last season.
For Heskey, Wirtz's subtle movement is reminiscent of another great Liverpool attacking midfielder, who he will no doubt hope to exceed in terms of trophies and overall legacy.
"Wirtz is a very intricate player," Heskey continued, "and he reminds me of Philippe Coutinho at times. He picks up those little pockets of space like Coutinho used to.
"He just doesn't seem to have that real power or energy at the minute to drive them on, but he picks up some sensational positions, gets the ball and turns.
"It's the next little bit, and more understanding with the players around him, that he needs. Let's give him next season and see how he goes.
"Hopefully, we'll see the best of him with a new team around him as well."
Despite the drop-off supporters have witnessed after a summer of enormous churn at Liverpool last year, another busy window is expected with various players linked with moves away from Merseyside, along with the confirmed exits of Salah and Andy Robertson.
The midfield department is high up the priority list for reinforcement in the eyes of many fans, who have seen Alexis Mac Allister's performances nose-dive this season after an influential role in the title-winning campaign last year.
In Heskey's eyes, one player in that department who has been linked with rivals United should be right at the top of the Reds' shopping list this summer.
"I've said it before," Heskey said, "but Liverpool should be going after Elliot Anderson. I like him. He's very mobile. He's very energetic. He's great on the ball too.
Nottingham Forest midfielder Anderson has been one of the league's standout players this season
Nottingham Forest midfielder Anderson has been one of the league's standout players this season(Image: Anna Gowthorpe/Shutterstock)
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"Liverpool need someone who can get around midfield. Alexis Mac Allister looks like his legs have gone a little bit. That might be harsh on him but that's what I see. He doesn't get around like he used to.
"The only player who really stands out in that midfield now is obviously Dominik Szoboszlai and he gets around the pitch.
"The others just don't seem like they can do it anymore so I think Liverpool need some heavy surgery in midfield. The one I want is Anderson but Carlos Baleba is another one or Adam Wharton.
"They've got to be able to match what you already have and add something more."
Curtis Jones has also been linked with an exit, prompting concerns around Liverpool's homegrown quota as well as their capacity to deal with direct play from opponents, which has bypassed Slot's pressing structure time and time again, leaving pivot players in midfield exposed to deep runners and physically outclassed far too often.
For Heskey, keeping Jones would help address that issue, provided Liverpool look to strengthen by bringing in other physically capable players in the centre of the pitch.
"I like Curtis Jones," he continued. "He's nice and mobile but doesn't play enough for me. It's these sorts of midfielders that Liverpool need, and I think they need to have a look at signing one or two of them because you also don't want your big rivals getting them either."
Whether the main issue is tactical or personnel-related, Liverpool need change in midfield this summer to control games off-the-ball as well as on it.
Supporters, like Heskey, will hope those changes also help to unlock Wirtz - the man who is still expected to be Liverpool's difference-maker in the post-Salah era.