{"id":1400418,"date":"2025-09-22T12:44:28","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T11:44:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1400418"},"modified":"2025-10-27T09:48:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T09:48:14","slug":"tactical-analysis-florian-wirtz-liverpool-analysis","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-florian-wirtz-liverpool-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"Florian Wirtz analysis: Why Liverpool\u2019s \u00a3100m man is better than the headlines suggest"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Florian Wirtz\u2019s performances for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/liverpool-outright-odds-25-26\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Liverpool<\/a> following his record-breaking move to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/premier-league\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Premier League<\/a> were always going to be micro-analysed. Rivals and pundits alike were always going to be hypercritical of the German playmaker.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is part and parcel of the \u00a3100million transfer fee.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But there\u2019s no objectivity when it comes to Anfield\u2019s latest No.7. He\u2019s yet to score or assist in the Premier League so, in the eyes of the masses, he\u2019s struggling. The good parts of his performances for the Premier League champions are being downplayed, likely because he\u2019s an attacking midfielder and he\u2019s being judged solely on output.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article, we&#8217;ll cover:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-wirtz-s-luck-in-the-final-third\" data-level=\"3\">Wirtz&#8217;s luck in the final third<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-new-look-attack-starting-to-click\" data-level=\"3\">New-look attack starting to click<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-wirtz-contributing-without-goals-and-assists\" data-level=\"3\">Wirtz contributing without goals and assists<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Context is being thrown right out of the window when it comes to the former Bayer Leverkusen man. Arne Slot rotated his team for the Merseyside derby following a midweek clash with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of this being viewed as the Dutch tactician trying to manage the minutes ahead of a third game in seven days, many bought into the idea that the 22-year-old was dropped rather than rested.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Slot even explained the reasoning. On Wednesday, he said: \u201cWe ask a bit more from him off the ball and defensively as well.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He followed that up on Saturday when speaking to TNT Sports by saying: \u201cLike I said it\u2019s three games in seven days, not in eight days, this is Sunday, Wednesday then Saturday.&nbsp; This is one of the most intense games that we have to play, so we try to manage it during Burnley and Atletico. For today I think Szoboszlai, who played both of those games as well, is more used to the intensity of the Premier League and this programme than Florian is coming from Germany. So it\u2019s only to do with so many games in limited time. I think he will feature, but not from the start.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-wirtz-s-luck-in-the-final-third\">Wirtz&#8217;s luck in the final third<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Wirtz was given 30 minutes off of the bench against Everton, carving out one chance and completing 100% of his attempted passes. While the No.7 hasn\u2019t been among the goals or assists for the Reds in the league, he\u2019s still had a positive start to life on Merseyside, even if he is adapting to life in a new league.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120222\/image-819x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1400427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120222\/image-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120222\/image-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120222\/image-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120222\/image-1229x1536.png 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120222\/image-214x267.png 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120222\/image-160x200.png 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120222\/image-48x60.png 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120222\/image-120x150.png 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120222\/image-32x40.png 32w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120222\/image.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Across his six appearances in the Premier League and Champions League, he\u2019s created 14 chances and has an Expected Goals Contribution of 2.4, with the majority of that coming from Expected Assists (1.82). With better finishing from teammates and a little bit of luck, Wirtz has three assists to his name and the entire narrative around his start to the season is completely different.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wirtz might not be dominating games, but he\u2019s having moments. He wasn\u2019t ever going to be running the show this early on though. Liverpool retooled their attack this summer and in the process they changed their system, moving away from a 4-3-3 and using a 4-2-3-1. Not only is the No.7 finding his feet, the entire team is in transition too, especially in the final third.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whereas last season the attacking midfielder, most of the time it was Dominik Szoboszlai, was more of a facilitator. He\u2019d do a lot of running, often leaning more to the right hand side to cover for Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold. This season, Wirtz is tasked with playing a lot more centrally and given the freedom to pop up all over the pitch to influence proceedings. It\u2019s a case of striking a balance and finding a way that allows Wirtz, Salah and the centre-forward the opportunity to thrive. So far, this hasn\u2019t exactly been the case.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The attack has been a little dysfunctional. It\u2019s why the Reds rank fifth for Expected Goals (8.13). They do, however, lead the way for goals (11). They\u2019ve made the most of moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22121420\/Passing-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1400441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22121420\/Passing-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22121420\/Passing-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22121420\/Passing-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22121420\/Passing-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22121420\/Passing-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22121420\/Passing-267x267.png 267w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22121420\/Passing-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22121420\/Passing-60x60.png 60w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22121420\/Passing-40x40.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22121420\/Passing.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Teething problems were inevitable though. When you rejig key parts of the attack as well as change the system, there\u2019s going to be a period of adaption. The change in shape is highlighted nicely in the passing networks. On the left is the passing network from Liverpool\u2019s 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wirtz and Alexander Isak are almost overlapping in the centre of the attack. It is very much a two-man attack. On the right, we see the passing network from Liverpool\u2019s 2-1 victory against Everton. The Reds reverted to the 4-2-4 system from last term, with Szobozlai playing more to the right, forming a triangle with Salah and Conor Bradley.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was by design too against the Toffees, with Slot revealing as much in his post-match interview with TNT Sports: \u201cSimilar goals, both times we targeted the same area where we had players with higher pace to come into those situations. The first one, great finish. The second one, same area.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-new-look-attack-starting-to-click\">New-look attack starting to click<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are, however, signs that the new-look attack is clicking.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120605\/image-1-1024x640.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1400437\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120605\/image-1-1024x640.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120605\/image-1-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120605\/image-1-768x480.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120605\/image-1-1536x960.png 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120605\/image-1-400x250.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120605\/image-1-320x200.png 320w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120605\/image-1-96x60.png 96w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120605\/image-1-150x94.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120605\/image-1-40x25.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120605\/image-1.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Against Atletico Madrid, a team famed for their defence under Diego Simeone, Wirtz created a match high five chances. He wasn\u2019t anywhere near as heavily involved as Szoboszlai was in the same role against Everton, with 47 touches to his 72, but he was more impactful in the final third.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The pass maps also highlight the differences in roles, despite them occupying the same position. Wirtz floated across the final third while Szoboszlai played up and down the right. The Germany international influenced the final third whereas the Hungary skipper influenced things down the entire right flank.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite still getting up to speed with the rigours of the English top-flight, Wirtz is putting his stamp on things. The assists are going to come. All of the data points to it. He\u2019s already doing a lot of things without the ball.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ahead of the game against Burnley, Sky Sports put up a divisive graphic. It showed the Liverpool attacker ranked first for off-ball runs, runs into final third, runs ahead of the ball.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The response was predictable.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2018The Reds paid \u00a3116million for a long distance runner.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2018No other player gets this sort of propaganda.\u2019&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But his off the ball work is one of the reasons the champions sanctioned the deal. For all of his brilliance in attack for Leverkusen, he put in the hard yards too. Atakan Karazor, the Stuttgart captain, said as much to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skysports.com\/football\/news\/12028\/13415669\/florian-wirtz-is-liverpools-running-man-why-the-germany-internationals-work-rate-is-just-as-important-as-his-technique\">Sky Sports<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"article-page__title\">Dabble sign-up offer: <b data-stringify-type=\"bold\">Bet \u00a310+ &amp; Receive \u00a310 In Free Bets<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>Not signed up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/dabble-sign-up-offer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dabble<\/a> yet? Here's how to claim the <b data-stringify-type=\"bold\">Bet \u00a310+ &amp; Receive \u00a310 In Free Bets<\/b> welcome offer:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li>Sign up to Dabble through this <a href=\"\/en\/go\/dabble?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\">link<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>Register your account with accurate personal details<\/li>\r\n<li>Place your first bet of \u00a310 or more<\/li>\r\n<li>Receive your \u00a310 in free bets when your qualifying bet has setted<\/li>\r\n<li>Use your Free Bet on any eligible sportsbook market within 7 days<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/go\/dabble?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1423518 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-300x250.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-300x250.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-320x267.png 320w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-240x200.png 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-72x60.png 72w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-150x125.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-40x33.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822.png 712w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>#AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply.\u00a0<a class=\"c-link\" href=\"http:\/\/gambleaware.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"http:\/\/GambleAware.org\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">GambleAware.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The thing that people don&#8217;t know, or maybe don&#8217;t see on the field, is that Wirtz is, every time, running. He doesn&#8217;t stop,&#8221; said Karazor.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;You see the running statistics of Florian Wirtz. You can see them in Kicker after the games.&#8221; That is a reference to the German magazine that publishes the data each week. &#8220;Every time, Florian Wirtz is between 12 and 13 kilometres in every game.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Of course, technique, dribbling, everything. And also the IQ for football is on a high level, on a world-class level. But I think this is the most special thing about Florian Wirtz. He doesn&#8217;t stop for 90 minutes.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-wirtz-contributing-without-goals-and-assists\">Wirtz contributing without goals and assists<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>His off-the-ball movement has already played a part in three goals scored by the league leaders this campaign.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"470\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120731\/Wirtz1-1024x470.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1400438\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120731\/Wirtz1-1024x470.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120731\/Wirtz1-300x138.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120731\/Wirtz1-768x353.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120731\/Wirtz1-1536x706.png 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120731\/Wirtz1-400x184.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120731\/Wirtz1-435x200.png 435w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120731\/Wirtz1-131x60.png 131w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120731\/Wirtz1-150x69.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120731\/Wirtz1-40x18.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22120731\/Wirtz1.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In the season opener, Wirtz runs from right to left to drag Tyler Adams and Marco Senesi over to the Bournemouth right. Hugo Ekitike then bursts into the space created by the German to score the opener. The No.7 isn\u2019t directly involved but his role in that goal cannot be overlooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"488\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122415\/WirtzSM1-1024x488.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1400445\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122415\/WirtzSM1-1024x488.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122415\/WirtzSM1-300x143.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122415\/WirtzSM1-768x366.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122415\/WirtzSM1-1536x732.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122415\/WirtzSM1-400x191.jpg 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122415\/WirtzSM1-419x200.jpg 419w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122415\/WirtzSM1-126x60.jpg 126w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122415\/WirtzSM1-150x72.jpg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122415\/WirtzSM1-40x19.jpg 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122415\/WirtzSM1.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Against Newcastle, Wirtz makes a run across the face of Joelinton to pin the Brazilian in situ. He doesn\u2019t track the Liverpool player but he\u2019s occupied by the run and doesn\u2019t push out to close Ryan Gravenberch down. As a result, the Dutch midfielder is able to get a shot off and it beats Nick Pope to give Slot\u2019s side the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"497\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122404\/Wirtz3-1024x497.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1400444\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122404\/Wirtz3-1024x497.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122404\/Wirtz3-300x146.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122404\/Wirtz3-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122404\/Wirtz3-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122404\/Wirtz3-400x194.jpg 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122404\/Wirtz3-412x200.jpg 412w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122404\/Wirtz3-124x60.jpg 124w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122404\/Wirtz3-150x73.jpg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122404\/Wirtz3-40x19.jpg 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22122404\/Wirtz3.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The 33-cap international also had a part to play in Ekitike\u2019s goal against the Magpies. As Cody Gakpo cuts inside from the Liverpool left, Wirtz makes a run into the penalty area, taking Dan Burn with him. It creates the space needed for the Frenchman to receive a pass from the No.18 before rifling a shot past Pope.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While Wirtz isn\u2019t credited with an assist for any of these, and his involvement cannot really be quantified, he\u2019s making a difference in the final third. Liverpool use detailed models instead of Expected Goals, models that analyse threat based off of pitch control and player movement. These off the ball running stats on Sky Sports may seem meaningless to rivals but they\u2019ll be high value to the Reds.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If he continues doing what he\u2019s doing and teammates start finishing off the chances he\u2019s creating, the \u00a3100million transfer fee will rarely be mentioned. Just like the fees paid for Virgil van Dijk and Alisson rarely get spoken about.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Florian Wirtz\u2019s performances for Liverpool following his record-breaking move to the Premier League were always going to be micro-analysed. Rivals and pundits alike were always going to be hypercritical of the German playmaker.&nbsp; It is part and parcel of the \u00a3100million transfer fee.&nbsp; But there\u2019s no objectivity when it comes to Anfield\u2019s latest No.7. He\u2019s&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3567,"featured_media":1400504,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Florian Wirtz hasn\u2019t scored or assisted in the league yet for Liverpool, but the underlying numbers tell a different story. Here\u2019s why his impact goes far beyond raw output.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1400418","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Florian Wirtz analysis: Why Liverpool\u2019s \u00a3100m man is better than the headlines suggest | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Florian Wirtz hasn\u2019t scored or assisted in the league yet for Liverpool, but the underlying numbers tell a different story. Here\u2019s why his impact goes far beyond raw output.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-florian-wirtz-liverpool-analysis\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Florian Wirtz analysis: Why Liverpool\u2019s \u00a3100m man is better than the headlines suggest\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Florian Wirtz hasn\u2019t scored or assisted in the league yet for Liverpool, but the underlying numbers tell a different story. 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