Wirtz has struggled to make an impact in his first six games this season, with only one assist to his name. However, the data does not always tell the whole story. In the 1-0 win at Bournemouth, Wirtz created three chances, won six of his eight duels, and won possession four times. He also made a near-post run in the second half that led to the ball dropping kindly for Alexander Isak to score the winner.
Jamie Carragher has been critical of Wirtz, calling his performance in the team's 1-0 win at Bournemouth "one of the poorest I've ever seen him in a Liverpool shirt". However, Andoni Iraola was more generous, accepting that Wirtz had struggled in the first half but improved in the second. "He started the game slowly," Iraola said. "After that first phase, we improved. Florian has helped us also to improve. Second half he was playing much better, he was finding better spots to receive and turn."
Wirtz's numbers from the game were not that bad, and it remains to be seen whether he will be given more time to prove himself.