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Liverpool have had some top stars over the years who will have inspired the new generation. The Reds have had a very mixed start to the season, with their 100% winning record now gone after suffering defeat to Crystal Palace.However, they were very lucky to have that record anyway, with their performances as a whole being very far off what is needed if they are to retain their Premier League title.
One player in particular who has struggled is Florian Wirtz, as the German has now gone the dreaded seven games without registering a goal or an assist.Liverpool fans are less concerned with his performances than rival fans, though, with many understanding that there is potential there, something he has also shown in small bursts.He has also just revealed that one of his favourite players to watch growing up is somewhat of a Reds legend, with supporters now hoping he lives up to this legend’s legacy.Photo by Michael Regan/Getty ImagesFlorian Wirtz loved watching Roberto FirminoAt just 22, Wirtz still has time very much on his side, hence why there are no worries over his slow start, with his ceiling higher than most in Europe.Being so young as well, many of his footballing idols may make some fans feel very old, with the majority of players he watched playing in the last five years or so.And there is one in particular at Liverpool who he admitted to enjoying watching, with this being the Brazilian Roberto Firmino.“When I was really young, I didn’t watch so much football, but the last few years would have been Firmino. I really enjoyed watching him,” he said on Liverpool’s YouTube channel.READ MORE: ‘Exceptional’ Liverpool star to miss Galatasaray clash after latest Arne Slot snubbingIt is no surprise either, as the pair of them have some very similar characteristics that have made them so successful.
Both are very much the facilitators of the team and link up with those around, while also possessing the ability to score a goal.They also work very hard on and off the ball, and have the flair to match, with it being clear that Wirtz watched a lot of ‘Bobby’ as he was growing up. Although he has not yet hit the heights of Firmino, and that will take a long time anyway, living up to his legacy and beyond will mean he would go down as one of the best signings in quite some time.Florian Wirtz just needs timeDespite registering 17 goal involvements in his first Premier League season, many were still not convinced by Firmino at all.Many thought he was not a good enough goalscorer or did not suit the style of play, something he proved very wrong, with Curtis Jones once saying that he was simply “amazing” to train with.Although he is yet to score or assist, Wirtz could be painted with a similar brush, especially due to the price tag hanging above his head.No matter how good he might turn out to be this season, rival fans will be quick to highlight every mistake, hence why criticism will follow every performance.But all Wirtz needs to do is have time to settle and it will all click into gear naturally because he is far too talented for it not to.