Analysis of Florian Wirtz's initial nine games for Liverpool has typically reached the same conclusion - it has been an disappointing beginning.
Several commentators have been more critical. Former England striker Wayne Rooney said the expensive acquisition "disrupts the balance" of the team's structure.
"He's a quality footballer and I'm confident he will get better - but he's had a gradual beginning and I think there's no denying that," said the former striker.
The young German is still without a goal or provide an assist for his new club, but does that paint the whole picture?
In this analysis we explore how effective he has been, why he isn't performing as anticipated yet, and how Liverpool could extract the maximum out of him.
Liverpool's Evolving Approach - and Wirtz's Position
The squad's equilibrium is disrupted, but they are clearly experiencing a phase of transition.
Manager Arne Slot has altered his approach this campaign - and possibly the loss of right-back the England international posed bigger questions than expected.
Following a comparable pattern to Slot's Feyenoord team, the Premier League side are attempting to operate with a increased frequency of rotations between players, progressing through the middle of the pitch with rapid, tight-area interplay.
This logically explains for the attacking midfielder to be the primary attacking force to connect all elements together.
But, practically, he has been asked to perform a role that is slightly different from one he is familiar with.
And that has reduced how frequently he positions himself in positions to score or create chances.
This setup fails to extract the best out of the player as an singular talent, but he hasn't performed poorly in this less-than-ideal role.
The German is Getting the Possession Much Further Back
Wirtz is getting the ball deeper with increasing frequency.
Alexander-Arnold was outstanding in his ability to pass the ball when playing in defensive areas, and the team appear to be significantly lacking that attribute.
Skipper Virgil van Dijk's diagonal passes to attacker Mohamed Salah is a effective method for them to get the ball up the pitch reliably. Alternatively, the squad lack the distribution ability in defence to find teammates in advanced positions.
This duty has fallen on the young German at certain moments. He has been dropping deep to get the ball before changing direction and trying to carry it forward. He is capable to perform this role because of his technical quality, but it is reducing the opportunities he spends near the opposing goal.
Should possession responsibilities can be taken by a different teammate, it potentially allows the attacker to operate more advanced the pitch.
Curtis Jones has the ability to do this in a double pivot or on the left flank, and may be an alternative Slot could consider as he aims to complement the German's natural game.
Similar to Grealish, Wirtz Excels Driving into Open Areas
Among the most significant contrasts the player is encountering in the Premier League is the limited space and heightened pressure exerted to him.
Positioned through the middle between the defensive units against very organized defensive sides such as Crystal Palace, the German has found himself with reduced opportunity and space to operate.
During his time at Bayer Leverkusen, there were matches in which the midfielder would position himself on the left wing while his colleagues advanced the ball up the pitch before passing to him.
In other situations, he would position himself in central advanced midfield positions, particularly against opponents that offered more room between the lines in games that became more transitional in nature.
Former Leverkusen boss the Spanish manager utilized Wirtz effectively because both of these situations would allow him to get the ball with separation - meaning he could collect and drive forward with distance between himself and a defender.
For extracting the maximum out of the player, getting the ball to him when there isn't instant marking on him is optimal.
Whenever he is capable to collect the play on the half-turn and carry it ahead - with space between himself and the nearby opponent - he is capable to use deceptive movements and a variation in pace to disrupt rival defensive structures.
Comparably to Everton forward the England international, his finest performances both on the ball carrying and in his passing comes from situations in which he is carrying the possession and driving at defenders.
That is why several of the German's most impressive moments this campaign have occurred in counter-attacks.
Space can be found by positioning him on the left flank initially or by passing to him in the midfield quickly. If he is operating between the lines, particularly when an rival team's defensive shape is spread, colleagues must accordingly execute forward balls to find the midfielder.
Wirtz's Work-rate Could Be Impeding Him
The Premier League's intensity has strategic implications but also impacts players individually - and Wirtz seems to have still not fully adapted to this transition.
Under Slot's quicker and more rotation-based approach of offensive play, the team are susceptible to fast breaks, with reduced players supporting the ball. This demands attackers like Wirtz to counter-press with intensity when the ball is lost.
Wirtz has completely dedicated himself to the out-of-possession directives and has pressed intensely. Offensively, he is being instructed to retreat to help in building up while maintaining the licence to participate to offensive moves on both the left side and right.
This combination is demanding on fitness, and several of his poor on-the-ball actions may be attributed to fatigue. Among all footballers to feature 400+ minutes in the top division this campaign, the German has covered the fifth most ground per full match and the most of all club player.
The Ways Physical Requirements Affect Skill
In a recent interview with German media, Wirtz discussed the contrast in his displays this season compared to the previous year.
He said the manager had voiced a view "it could be because we harass a lot and I cover ground a lot".
Wirtz added: "For example, the distance covered statistics: I am always at the forefront there because I attempt to push hard and execute what the coach asks. I require a lot of strength and energy for that. When I have the ball, I could be lacking a little bit. The expectation this will simply come step by step, as I play more games, get fitter, be able to perform actions more effortlessly, and subsequently, when I have the play, be {fit|conditioned
