Liverpool star Florian Wirtz has admitted that the Premier League has surprised him. He highlighted the key difference between the English top flight and the Bundesliga, saying that players need to think a step ahead at all times.
Wirtz joined Liverpool in the summer for a then-record £116 million but has taken time to settle in at Anfield. He needed to wait until December to get his first goal in the Premier League for the Reds.
Speaking on TNT Sports this weekend after the loss to Brighton & Hove Albion, Wirtz said that the Premier League is intense and more physical than the Bundesliga.
The German admitted that he needed time to settle in at Liverpool, as it was hard to adapt to the pressure and handle the added responsibility.
“Everyone in the world knows that the Premier League is the most intense and physical league. It was a bit more than I was thinking, but there are always difficult things on the pitch where you have to adapt. Maybe you also have a bit more responsibility for more people who are supporting you and wanting you to do well.”
The German played off the right wing this weekend in the Premier League, after Mohamed Salah was ruled out of the match due to an injury. He kept drifting into the central positions too, and made two key passes through the Brighton defence, but failed to get an assist.
No time to think in the Premier League
Wirtz believes players get more time to think when they get the ball in the Bundesliga. However, in the Premier League, the first touch has to be spot on and also be good enough to start the next move as the opponents are always on their toes and said:
“When I was at Leverkusen, I could have more time on the ball and turn easier. Here you have to be so ready, with your first touch you have to be away already, because otherwise there are three people on you and smashing into you – that is also a big difference.”
Wirtz did well in December and January, but has slowed down once again. He has just one assist in his last eight matches in all competitions for Liverpool.
Florian Wirtz needs more help from Liverpool teammates
Florian Wirtz has created 51 chances in the Premier League this season, just five less than Declan Rice, who ranks second in the chances created stats. The German is just four behind teammate Dominik Szoboszlai, but the assists table sees him drop to seventh at the club.
Arne Slot needs his forwards to do better, as they have failed to make the most of the chances being created by Wirtz and Szoboszlai. The duo have created over 100 chances, but sitting with just five assists between them shows the key reason why the Reds are struggling in the league this season.
Alexnader Isak’s return next month could prove crucial, as the striker can combine well with Hugo Ekitike and also take the pressure off Wirtz and the Frenchman up front.
