Paul Merson says he’s figured out Florian Wirtz’s real problem at Liverpool after watching him ‘a lot’

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Paul Merson believes Florian Wirtz’s early difficulties at Liverpool are not actually his fault.

Wirtz arrived at Anfield in a £116million deal from Bayer Leverkusen during the summer, with his staggering price tag leaving supporters expecting an instant impact.

Instead, he is yet to score his first goal in the Premier League, while he has just one assist to his name, picked up on his competitive debut in the Community Shield back in August.

It has been a stop-start campaign for the playmaker, but Paul Merson is confident he knows exactly why he has failed to take off. Worryingly, however, there appears to be no easy solution.

Paul Merson says Florian Wirtz suffering from lack of space

Speaking on Sky Sports, the pundit said: “You don’t become a bad player overnight. Florian Wirtz was bought for over £100million. I’ve watched this player a lot of times.

“He’s a brilliant football player. It’s just trying to get him the ball. It’s so tight in there. The problem is when you watch German football, the game gets opened up so quickly. It’s so expansive.

“Like, the worst team in Germany will go to the best team in Germany and have a go. And that’s why they win six and seven over here.

“Liverpool kick-off and 10 people sit behind the ball and there’s no room for him.”

Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann is confident Wirtz will come good, and an expert believes he will win the Ballon d’Or, but the superstar has not come close to justifying his eye-watering valuation.

Regardless, those at Liverpool plan to keep the faith.

Arne Slot defends Florian Wirtz

Ahead of his side’s showdown against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday, Reds boss Arne Slot insisted Wirtz has been unfortunate not to have more goal contributions to his name.

“If you’ve been brought in for so much money, people look mainly at goals and assists, but I can tell you he could be on six or seven assists already,” Slot told Sky Sports.

“If you look at the passes he’s played to his team-mates which unfortunately didn’t lead to goals, one of the greatest examples is the Chelsea game, where after one minute he had this great flick to Mo Salah.

“For Mo, this is 99 times out of 100 a goal. I have to say 98 out of 100 because the last time he got a ball like this was against Atletico Madrid from Florian Wirtz, but Mo hit the post.

“He’s been a bit unlucky with the finishing when he’s given his team-mates chances but, in general for a 22-year-old, it’s quite normal that you have to adjust to going to another country, let alone going to the Premier League.”