John Barnes has a different verdict to share on Florian Wirtz at Liverpool

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Florian Wirtz is yet to have the impact everyone thought he might.The Reds had an almost perfect summer in the transfer market that saw so many quality players arrive, for big money too, but they have not worked out just yet.Wirtz is one of those who came in for a big transfer fee and high expectations, but the German has only two assists in 15 games.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. He has not managed to adapt fully to the Premier League, with some even writing him off already.Former Liverpool player John Barnes has a slightly different verdict on Wirtz’s start to life at Anfield so far, though, and he might be right.Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty ImagesJohn Barnes thinks Florian Wirtz has already been good for LiverpoolWirtz may not have put up the goals and assist numbers that he would have liked, but he has still shown flashes of brilliance.Consistency is one thing he has lacked, but given that he is just 22 and new to the league, this will all come with time.Barnes also has a similar opinion as he reckons Wirtz has not been helped by how poor those around him have been, with it only a matter of time before it all clicks.“Do you think Wirtz will come good?” Barnes was asked on the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast.“I think he will because, in fact, he has been doing okay.

He’s been playing well, he’s been creative,” he replied.“But I think that is because the team hasn’t been consistent and we’re looking at him as part of that inconsistency.“But in terms of when he’s on the ball and what he does, I think he’s been very good. The problem we have is that before when we’re a team who pass the ball much quicker, get the ball forward quicker.READ MORE: ‘Special’ Liverpool star admits to frustration over lack of game time Arne Slot is giving him“Now we’re having many more touches in midfield, many more touches up front, which means that when teams get back behind the ball with 10 men, and we’re having Wirtz or Ekitike who is a good dribbler, it’s difficult to get through them as you saw against Man City.“Whereas in the old days, we’d have one or two passes that would get it forward quickly.

So we’re finding our feet with that. And these are still young and inexperienced players for the Premier League.”Florian Wirtz has hit form at the right timeThe international break came at a good time for Liverpool due to their run of form, but it may have come at a good time for Wirtz too.The German had a poor game against Manchester City, but then went away with the German national team and excelled, with his most recent game one of his best of the season so far.He was allowed more freedom to express himself and he showed his quality once again, hopefully giving him the confidence to kick on from here.Against Nottingham Forest, he could start on the left due to shining there for Germany, but Arne Slot could try him in the number 10 once again, but this could not be where his Liverpool career takes off.