Florian Wirtz struggling to forge connections in tough Liverpool baptism | Will Unwin

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Wirtz was eager to drift into space to find the ball but was ineffective when he did receive possession. His stats on Sunday offer promise, topping the list for most chances created, defensive line-breaking passes and successful passes in the final third, but they brought no tangible benefit.Physicality is one issue, as Everton were able to push Wirtz off the ball regularly, but he is not the first of his stature to seek glory in the Premier League.

Whatever Silva was doing, there was always an intensity to his actions, a trait Wirtz needs because he too often looks to be drifting through games.Arne Slot felt there was nothing left for Wirtz to offer in a hard-fought game short of quality on both sides, withdrawing his playmaker with seven minutes of normal time remaining. Salah was the only member of the original front four to finish the game because his record shows that he can produce when it matters.

Hugo Ekitiké was absent, as he will be for many months, but all other members of the bullpen were available to Slot and if they are to recover form next season, he will want to make changes, with the guarantee of needing to find an external Salah replacement because an in-house solution is unlikely.Alexander Isak, Wirtz’s fellow nine-figure summer arrival and who is still working towards being fully fit, was another anonymous figure in the Liverpool lineup. His movement was rusty and the Everton centre-backs did not sweat much to keep him quiet before he was hooked.The adversity of this season can make Wirtz stronger but he needs to start showing he is learning.