The Florian Wirtz mystery: why has he not found Leverkusen form at Liverpool?

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Wirtz can justifiably argue that forces beyond his control have conspired against him at Liverpool and that, as his relationship with Bradley Barcola and Isak improves, so will his end product. Teams who tried to kick him out of games almost universally failed, making the idea he can’t hack the Premier League physically a flawed explanation for his difficulties.

Many in his entourage thought he would be better served by joining Bayern Munich instead of Liverpool and he acknowledged he was taking the tougher option. Is he being used in a notably different way?He has been given greater freedom (and a little less responsibility off the ball), more akin to his Leverkusen role, but what has been important is having Klopp cheerlead for him.

Klopp also gave him the captaincy for the last game (and a half), showing Wirtz and the world that he believes not only in his talent and influence but in him as a leader. It feels like the more contact he has with Klopp, the better for him and his club.