Florian Wirtz's situation at Liverpool has been likened to that of Darwin Nunez, with Peter Crouch confident that Reds supporters will take the German playmaker to their hearts. Wirtz has endured a tough start to his spell in English football, on the back of a £116 million ($156m) transfer, but he will boast the full support of those in the stands if he continues to give his all to the collective cause.
GettyBig-money signing waiting on first goal involvement
There has been no doubting Wirtz’s effort since completing a big-money switch from Bayer Leverkusen, with the 22-year-old eager to impress, he has just been lacking in end product. The talented Germany international is still waiting on his first goal involvement as a Liverpool player after nine appearances in all competitions.
He was briefly the most expensive player in British football when joining the reigning Premier League champions, before that place in the history books was filled by £125m ($168m) Anfield team-mate Alexander Isak. Such a hefty price tag was always going to bring added scrutiny and expectation.
AdvertisementWirtz's situation likened to that of Nunez
Wirtz showed what he is capable of when registering 16 goals and 15 assists for Leverkusen from an attacking midfield berth last season. Arne Slot needs to find a way of unlocking that potential on Merseyside. Once he does so, then Wirtz should go on to become a fan favourite.
Ex-Reds striker Crouch believes that a loyal fan base will give Wirtz time in which to find his feet, with 100 per cent effort all that they are demanding for now. They have overlooked supposed flaws in other enigmatic performers, with Uruguayan forward Nunez becoming something of a cult hero despite never being prolific in front of goal.
Paddy Power’s Crouch, who was speaking at the launch of Paddy’s Sportsbook at The Hippodrome Casino, said: "I think Wirtz is in the best possible environment, I know it from when I was there. At Liverpool, if you attack one of their players, the fans bring you on the inside and you are one of them. Nunez also had a difficult time, but not once did Liverpool fans waiver in their support of him."
Paddy PowerDid Liverpool get lucky during unbeaten start?
Liverpool have been searching for a spark as a star-studded squad this season. They find themselves back at the top of the Premier League table, but have been relying on late goals to get them there. A faultless start to the campaign papered over any cracks, with battling victories being secured in domestic and European competition.
Slot’s side have, however, come unstuck in their last two fixtures. Crystal Palace secured a dramatic 2-1 win over the Reds in Premier League action at Selhurst Park, before a penalty from Nigeria international Victor Osimhen condemned them to a 1-0 reversal away at Galatasaray in the Champions League. Questions have been asked of some big selection calls in those contests.
There is no cause for panic, with a minor bump in the road being hit, and Crouch is confident that a team of proven winners will come good again once any early-season issues have been ironed out. He added: "I don't think Liverpool have been lucky. Have they been dominant in every game? Absolutely not. They've looked open and fragile at times but they've scored goals and found a way to win. I think they proved last season how good they can be, they're a top side."
Liverpool fixtures: Next up for the Reds
Liverpool will be determined to bounce back in style when returning to competitive action, but are heading into a testing run of fixtures. They have one more game to take in before reaching the next international break, with that contest playing out at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as Slot takes his troops to Chelsea.
The Reds will then entertain old adversaries Manchester United – who have plenty of their own issues to address – on October 19 before heading out on the road again for a Champions League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany.