Video Analysis: The Truth About Wirtz’s “Flop” Start at Liverpool | OneFootball

Florian Wirtz and Liverpool’s Tactical Puzzle

Few transfers in recent memory have generated the same mixture of anticipation and scrutiny as Florian Wirtz joining Liverpool. His arrival promised creativity and vision, yet after three Premier League matches without a goal or assist, the debate around his adaptation is already in full swing. On the PanenkaLFC Youtube channel, the he dissected Wirtz’s early days under Arne Slot, offering a candid look at what has and hasn’t clicked so far.

Slow start under Slot

PanenkaLFC opened with a stark reminder of how quickly narratives form in football: “There’s no doubt that by now you’ve got a mate banging on about how much of a flop Florian Wirtz is, right? Big money signing, not a single goal contribution so far, and of course, that’s all they need to start calling him a flop.”

Despite Liverpool’s flawless start with 13 points from three matches, the spotlight has focused on the 22-year-old’s muted impact. PanenkaLFC emphasised that this should be seen in context: “We’re only three games into the season. That’s barely a foot in the door. Wirtz is still just 22, settling into a brand new league with new teammates and a new manager. It’s a huge transition.”

Even during the international break, his form sparked mixed reactions. A “stunning 25-yard free kick for Germany” reminded everyone of his ability, yet Bild asked, “Where has Wirtz’s magic foot from his Leverkusen days gone?”

Positional demands and midfield balance

PanenkaLFC detailed how Slot’s system is shaping Wirtz’s adaptation: “To start the season, Slot placed Wirtz in his natural role, central attacking midfielder in what’s basically a 4-2-3-1 setup.” The challenge is that this role demands both creativity and defensive contribution.

Statistics underline the issue. “So far this season, Flo has had 77 touches in the middle third of the pitch, which puts him fourth in the Liverpool squad behind Szoboszlai, Van Dijk, and Konaté. But when you look at his touches in the final third, that number drops to 52. Still, that’s the second highest in the team behind Salah.”

As PanenkaLFC explained, this creates a tactical conundrum: “Wirtz is being asked to do a bit of everything. He’s dropping deep to help with the buildup, perhaps a bit too deep at times, then pushing forward to try and work his creative magic further up the pitch. That kind of dual responsibility can definitely affect your rhythm and impact on games.”

The Newcastle fixture was cited as an example of how such circumstances can suffocate a creative midfielder: “It was frantic, physical, and messy. Not the kind of match that gives a creative player much time on the ball.”

Tactical tweaks to unlock creativity

The podcast turned to solutions, with PanenkaLFC suggesting positional adjustments: “One of the most obvious adjustments and something a lot of people are already talking about is starting Wirtz out on the left wing rather than keeping him locked into that central number 10 role.”

This would not make him a touchline winger, but rather an inside forward. As PanenkaLFC argued, “By starting him just a bit wider, you help free him from the chaos in the middle. He can find more space, receive the ball facing forward, and really start to influence the game.”

There is also the option of in-game rotations: “If Mo Salah drifts inside, Wirtz can temporarily shift out to the right. Or if Isak or Ekitike drops deep, which they often do, Wirtz can make a run beyond them, acting almost like a second striker.”

Another potential tweak involves midfield balance: “Adding a specialist defensive midfielder in certain games could free Wirtz from some of the tracking duties and let him focus on what he does best, creating.”

Patience and long-term view

Above all, patience was the central message. “Liverpool fans keep the faith. It’s early days and Wirtz is still finding his rhythm. The fact we’ve got nine points from nine without him fully firing is a good sign.”

PanenkaLFC concluded with optimism about Wirtz’s role in Slot’s Liverpool: “If Liverpool can integrate Wirtz properly, he could become the creative heartbeat of the team. At Leverkusen, he carried the creative load and regularly produced moments of magic. That’s the dream for us Reds.”

The podcast captured both the frustrations and the possibilities. Wirtz has shown flashes of his talent, and as tactical adjustments bed in, he has every chance to grow into the player Liverpool hoped they had secured.