Arne Slot decision confirms we will soon see the GENIUS of Florian Wirtz

Florian Wirtz moved to Liverpool for a fee that could ultimately reach a British record £116m.

The 22-year-old was the orchestrator in the Bayer Leverkusen unbeaten season of 2023/24 and has come to Anfield with an enviable track record.

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Whether it’s scoring goals or creating them, the Germany international has long been among the best in the Bundesliga. And over the course of a five-year contract on Merseyside, he will rightly be expected to do the same for the Reds.

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It’s fair to say it’s been a slow start for Wirtz over the course of his first two Premier League fixtures - in his goals and assists at least. He’s not scored or laid on a goal as yet - with fellow new arrival Hugo Ekitike earning the early plaudits.

Wirtz adapting to new challenges

But Wirtz is already among the best - according to FOTMOB numbers - for his off-the-ball work including tackles and recoveries. That shows he is up to speed with the intense out-of-possession work demanded by Slot and his coaches.

He is adapting to a new position, a new team, a new league and a new country - it’s going to take time for his output to grow.

“He saw me in the number 10 position, where I play best,” he told German outlet kicker last week.

“I was brought in for that position because they trusted me to make the team better. And I’m trying to live up to that as best as I can.”

Wirtz already influencing Liverpool attacks

It remains to be seen whether he will also feature on the left for the Reds - but right now he deserves time to settle into life as the central playmaker.

Nonetheless, Wirtz is already having a positive effect on how Liverpool create chances and score goals. Witness his part in both of Liverpool’s first two goals against Newcastle on Monday.

For the opening goal via Ryan Gravenberch, Wirtz darts into the box, thereby creating space for the Dutchman to hit one past Nick Pope.

It was a similar story just after the half-time break - without Wirtz’s run into the box - which occupied Dan Burn - Ekitike does not have the chance to shoot and score.

And once he clicks with his teammates while in possession - to whom he is going to feed countless through balls - Wirtz will start to look like the most expensive player in English football.

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