Overview

• Liverpool signed Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer for a fee reported at up to €150 million, elevating expectations for immediate impact.
• Through seven competitive appearances he has recorded one assist and no goals, with the lone assist coming in the Community Shield.
• He was left out of the starting lineup for the Merseyside derby against Everton and entered after about an hour without making a decisive impact.
• Liverpool Echo rated his derby cameo five out of ten, noting problems with the game’s tempo and a yellow card, one of the team’s lowest marks.
• Micah Richards said it “hasn’t clicked” yet and Steve Nicol called him a “passenger,” while Wirtz told Sky he “remains cool” and aims to improve every match without asking for extra time.