Liverpool's Wirtz problem - does he need to be dropped?

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Florian Wirtz’s slow start at Liverpool is becoming a growing issue after more than a year at the club following his £116m move. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder has produced seven goals and 11 assists in 56 appearances for Liverpool, but his output against stronger Premier League opposition has been limited, and he has managed only one assist in seven matches this season.

The article says Wirtz started the season in both the league and Champions League, yet Liverpool’s recent defeat by Manchester City intensified scrutiny, with the player substituted in the second half. Former Liverpool defender Steven Warnock and pundit Jamie Carragher both argued that Wirtz is not influencing games enough, while Carragher suggested he should be taken out of the team. Liverpool are short of attacking options because several players, including Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai, are sidelined, which makes any decision to drop him more difficult.

New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola defended Wirtz, saying the issue is collective rather than solely individual and noting that the midfielder has had some good performances, including in the Champions League. The piece also points to Wirtz’s success with Germany and his strong chance creation record last season as evidence of his talent. The wider context is that Liverpool invested heavily in Wirtz as a leading creative force, so his form is important to both the team’s results and the debate over how quickly elite signings should adapt to Premier League demands.