Florian Wirtz given encouraging new verdict as Liverpool star told slow start is over

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Florian Wirtz has impressed in recent weeks as the Liverpool summer signing continues to find his way in the Premier LeagueWhen he signed in the summer it is safe to say that Liverpool fans would have been hoping that there would be no debate over the quality of Florian Wirtz by the time 2025 was drawing to a close. But the German remains a hot topic for many.While he has never hidden during his displays in a Red shirt, the fact that Wirtz is still to deliver an assist in the Premier League or score a goal in any competition is still fairly startling, and while Liverpool's struggles as a whole can't be pinned on their £116m summer signing, it is safe to say that he hasn't quite been able to produce what many expected of him.READ MORE: Dominik Szoboszlai injury latest as Liverpool get set to make late call for Tottenham clashREAD MORE: Jurgen Klopp tipped to make Premier League return with 'loads of money' promiseThere have been green shoots in the last few weeks though, with former Reds defender Stephen Warnock claiming, via wettbasis.com, that Wirtz "has done very well lately, and he is a player who can unlock defences."He loves to receive the ball in tight areas and his confidence is really building right now."It was a slow start, but it was understandable because the Premier League is so different.

It is difficult to settle in a different country as well, but I think he has done that now.”Has Wirtz improved of late then? We asked our writers what they think.Paul GorstIf Florian Wirtz's time as a Liverpool player has been characterised by anything, it has been how many of the great and the good of German football have been lining up to inform us of his brilliance.From Jurgen Klinsmann and Rudi Voller through to Lothaur Matthaus and Philipp Lahm, the big names of Germany have been insistent that Wirtz will cut the mustard at Anfield, eventually.

Even the one and only Jurgen Klopp has been moved to say something similar, branding him "the talent of the century" earlier this year.At times, the belief of supporters has been based on hope and what he had achieved with Bayer Leverkusen rather than evidence in a Liverpool shirt but it's been a good few weeks for the No.7.He was the best player on the pitch in the 2-0 win at West Ham United at the end of last month and while the 'goal' was not given as his own in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland a few days later, it was his driving run and shot that got the Reds back into that game, proving he has the ability to put the team on his back when it needs it.Wirtz was once more impressive in the 2-0 win over Brighton on Saturday and while the elusive first goal is still waiting to be scored, it's been a good two or three weeks for the £116m attacking midfielder.The next few weeks will require him to step up even more in an attacking and creative sense, with Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt, and there's no denying the 22-year-old still has big strides to make to replicate what he was producing for Leverkusen prior to his move to Merseyside.Wirtz's willingness to always stay on the move means his team-mates are able to constantly find him in pockets of space and while it has been encouraging of late, the challenge now is to step it up even more as Liverpool look to show they are truly over the worst.Mark JonesIt has largely become a case of seeing what you want to see with Florian Wirtz.If you felt that Liverpool overpaid for him in the summer or like to pick holes in whatever the Reds do then the numbers are there to support your argument. He kept the ball so well and was key to the Reds pinning the hosts back in the search of a winner, which then came via that very fortunate penalty he won.Wirtz played well against Brighton too, contributing to attacks and often demanding the ball from his team-mates.It is clear to see that he already struck up a strong partnership with Curtis Jones, another player who likes the ball, and there is a link-up developing with Hugo Ekitike too as the Frenchman seeks to run onto his fellow former Bundesliga star's through balls.So the signs are there that Wirtz is a growing influence on this Liverpool side, and it will be interesting to see how that importance grows in the coming weeks in the absence of Mohamed Salah.Wirtz is definitely coming to the boil, although admittedly a little slowly.Arne Slot - Notes on a SeasonThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.