Germany’s media spot worrying Florian Wirtz issue for Liverpool to fix in 2-1 defeat to Portugal

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Liverpool are now well on their way to securing a move for Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz, an incredibly exciting signing.

Florian Wirtz could break the British transfer record when moving to Liverpool this summer, a sign that FSG are willing to sufficiently back Arne Slot.

Of course, that’s exactly what the Dutchman deserves following his superb opening season at Anfield.

Florian Wirtz might not have been attainable for Liverpool only a year ago, when some might have expected a post Jurgen Klopp lull.

However, Liverpool are close to signing Milos Kerkez as well and Slot’s project is thriving, a manager who has already taken this team one step further.

Germany’s media spot a problem with Florian Wirtz despite ‘exceptional’ goal

That being said, Germany’s media did spot something that Liverpool might need to work on with Wirtz during the country’s 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the Nations League on Wednesday evening.

Wirtz scored a delightful header to put Germany 1-0 ahead against Portugal, a lead they were unable to hold.

And whilst the prospective Liverpool signing was applauded for that effort, the German press did still pick fault with his game overall.

Sharing their critique, Sky Germany said Wirtz ‘disappointed’ overall, partly because he was missing his partner, Jamal Musiala.

READ MORE: Steven Gerrard shares his honest verdict after hearing Florian Wirtz could sign for Liverpool

Sharing their own view, Sport wrote: “He had his moments of genius in the attacking third, but also seemed noticeably inhibited at times.

“He initiated and scored the opening goal. He subsequently lost himself in numerous skirmishes with opponents.

“He was still able to carry the German national team on his shoulders in such a close game.”

Wirtz was clearly doing a lot right, and Frankfurter Rundschau did point out that he also showed ‘exceptional class’ despite losing possession too often.

But there was a clear theme of Wirtz delivering a somewhat incomplete performance, a player who perhaps lacked the physicality to play as a false nine at times.

Ran wrote how Wirtz’s teammates could ‘rarely find him’, perhaps suggesting that kind of role isn’t his best.

Arne Slot needs to learn from Florian Wirtz’s Germany display

Of course, one would imagine that Slot predominantly plans to use Wirtz as a number 10, perhaps in a similar role to Dominik Szoboszlai.

And based on Wirtz’s performance for Germany on this occasion, that might be very sensible to begin with.

Wirtz will surely need to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League somewhat to begin with, and immediately playing him as striker might be counterproductive.

That being said, Liverpool will need to sign a striker in order to avoid using Wirtz as a number nine.

Slot is willing to sell Diogo Jota to perhaps fund the recruitment of a new superstar striker this summer.

And to that end, Liverpool are still dreaming of signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.