It further highlights the idea he is battling to adapt to a new league.
Wirtz has struggled to deal with the physicality of opponents in England. Too often, he has been eased off the ball when in possession, or delayed a shot when in a promising position, leading to it being blocked. He is a very different No 10 to Szoboszlai, who he has replaced in that role, and while he is covering a lot of ground he cannot impose himself physically the way the Hungarian can.
Last season, Luis Diaz (playing as the No 9) and Szoboszlai (as the No 10) were the leaders of Liverpool’s press. That front two has now changed, with Diaz leaving for Bayern Munich over the summer, and Wirtz plus his fellow newcomers Isak and Ekitike are still adjusting to the way Liverpool operate off the ball, which has impacted the team’s overall structure and contributed to their defensive issues.
Wirtz’s form is not the sole reason Liverpool are not at their best. They are not attacking with any fluidity: neither Salah nor Cody Gakpo is anywhere near top form and Isak is still getting up to speed having missed all of pre-season before his belated transfer from Newcastle.
Behind the German, Ryan Gravenberch is playing well, but the Dutchman’s midfield partner Alexis Mac Allister is labouring. The Argentina international is arguably Liverpool’s most important player in the heart of the pitch as he is their tempo setter, but he has not completed 90 minutes for the club since April and his form has also been shaky.
Wirtz is a busy player. He is constantly moving and finding space, but part of this early-season adjustment after leaving Bayer Leverkusen is his new team-mates adapting to his style of play, too.