What's happening to the £116m blockbuster?

Wirtz has yet to show his worth at Liverpool.

But after just a few weeks, the story is taking a different turn: Wirtz is no longer the confident conductor he was at Leverkusen, but more like a player lost in the Premier League cycle.

Bundesliga star out of sync at Anfield

The 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Premier League round 6 last weekend was the clearest example. Arne Slot replaced Wirtz in the 74th minute, the seventh time he has been withdrawn from all starts this season. No injury, no lack of fitness - just a lack of influence. The fact that a record signing has repeatedly failed to last until the 90th minute is a stark warning.

At Leverkusen, Wirtz was central to Xabi Alonso’s system. He was comfortable occupying the left flank, receiving the ball close to the box, and then making creative plays. But at Liverpool, that role has been lost. He drifts wide, drifts wide, looks to touch the ball in less dangerous areas – and ends up being out of sync.

The Premier League does not allow for slow thinking and processing. Wirtz was often pressed and easily knocked off the ball.

The dribbling that was once a trademark in Germany has become sporadic: from 5.8 dribble attempts per game to 2.9; his success rate has dropped from 48% to 42%. He also touches the ball on average 65 times per game, nearly 20 fewer than last season in the Bundesliga. This figure reflects not only a lack of influence, but also a lack of rhythm.

The statistics further expose the truth: from 0.42 goals/match last season to 0 goals; from 0.37 assists to 0.15. A player once expected to be the “key creator” has now become harmless in attack.

The issue isn’t just about fitness or the rigors of the competition, but also how he’s used. Under Xabi Alonso, Wirtz has often played in a 3-4-2-1 system, moving into the left half-space – the space between the wide and the centre. There, he receives the ball close to the box, has little need to drop deep, and has the freedom to create. It’s this versatility that makes Wirtz a maestro, with every move being deadly.

Wirtz is out of sync at Liverpool.

Slot, on the other hand, is trying to use Wirtz as a left-sided midfielder or even move him wide. This role takes away his space, forcing him to play deeper, move more and touch the ball in less impactful areas.

Instead of “charging straight” into the opponent’s half, Wirtz often turns his back to the goal, struggling to find space. This is a “misalignment” in tactics, which nullifies the skill that is his greatest strength.

The story is not new.

Wirtz is not the first to have difficulty leaving a familiar environment. Juan Sebastian Veron - a genius in Serie A - failed at Manchester United and Chelsea despite his talent not fading. The problem lies not in quality, but in adapting to a different routine. Wirtz is following that path: the talent is there, but the Premier League environment seems not to be open to him.

In fact, Liverpool have not played well either. They have conceded two goals in four of their eight games since the start of the season, relying too much on Alisson and Van Dijk in defence.

Up front, Salah has started slowly, while Slot is still struggling to make room for a host of new signings. If Ekitike continues to explode, he could even be pushed to the left wing – a position Wirtz has just tried and failed. Szoboszlai is also a safer option in midfield, making Wirtz's position even more precarious.

Wirtz was once the "soul" of Leverkusen's unbeaten run in 2023/24. But at Liverpool, he is just a pale shadow.

The Premier League is harsh and does not wait for anyone to adapt, especially with contracts worth over 100 million pounds. If he does not find himself soon and if Slot does not find a suitable tactical role, Wirtz risks becoming a second Veron: great talent, but forever just a "what if" story in the memories of fans.

Source: https://znews.vn/chuyen-gi-dang-xay-ra-voi-bom-tan-116-trieu-bang-post1589558.html