What Philipp Lahm and Nick Woltemade said about Florian Wirtz speaks volumes amid Liverpool questions

Florian Wirtz has yet to hit his stride at Liverpool following his £116m move from Bayer Leverkusen but those who know him best suggest he will soon do just that

After a summer of huge upheaval, Liverpool deserve incredible credit for starting the season the way they have. The defending champions sit top of the table of the Premier League with five wins from five.

They have also progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after a much-changed side won 2-1 at home to Southampton on Tuesday. They have kicked off their Champions League campaign in winning fashion too.

A quick glimpse at the roster of players head coach Arne Slot now has at his disposal suggests that the Reds are exactly where they should be. But that would fail to pay mention to the massive changes that were made to his squad in the off-season.

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Refusing to rest on their laurels after returning the Premier League trophy to Anfield, Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes oversaw an unprecedented spending spree that was largely funded by a number of big-money exits.

With so many players leaving and new faces arriving, it would not be unfair to suggest that it was always going to take time for Liverpool to click.

In fact, despite their record of seven victories from seven in all competitions after losing the Community Shield to Crystal Palace on penalties, it would not be unfair to suggest that the Reds have yet to hit top gear from a performance point of view.

That is certainly the case with Florian Wirtz, who looked set to be the club's marquee summer signing until the deadline day arrival of Alexander Isak for a British transfer record £125m from Newcastle Untied.

The spotlight was always going to be on Wirtz given the initial £100m fee Liverpool paid to prise the golden boy of German football away from Bayer Leverkusen.

And there have been glimpses of why he deserves that moniker - he was excellent against Palace at Wembley and, before the international break, he grew in influence in the vital victory at home to Arsenal.

The 22-year-old kept his place in the team for the wins over Burnley and Atletico Madrid after the return of club football but he started on the bench in the Merseyside derby triumph over Everton at the weekend before being given the night off against Southampton in midweek.

Whether he starts this Saturday against Palace - the only other team in the top flight yet to taste defeat so far this season - remains to be seen.

But he will go into that match with question marks over when Reds supporters will truly see the undoubted talent that also brought serious interest from Bayern Munich, as well as Manchester City and Real Madrid, before he chose the English champions.

Perhaps, then, it is best to remind ourselves of what the people who have watched Wirtz more closely and have played alongside him have to say.

Praise is not in short supply, with recent comments from Germany and Bayern Munich legend Philipp Lahm, as well as £69m Newcastle United new boy Nick Woltemade, emphasising what a player Liverpool have on their hands.

"Liverpool, the English champions, have specifically strengthened their stable formation with him," wrote 2014 World Cup winner Lahm in the Guardian.

"It takes time to fit into a team. This is especially true for a player who makes a difference.

"So far, he is getting into his groove and adapting to the pace and intensity of the Premier League. He passes the ball early, which gives him increasing confidence and allows him to gradually take more risks.

"In the first half against Arsenal, what caught the eye was Wirtz as a team player, and in the second half, his brilliance.

"He played razor‑sharp passes, took the ball superbly with his right foot in the penalty area and shot with his left.

"With him, his team became stronger and won. Wirtz’s qualities are becoming increasingly apparent at Liverpool."

"Under the caring guidance of Arne Slot, something interesting seems to be emerging in Liverpool. Something you want to be a part of.

"I can well understand why Wirtz was convinced. I experienced it myself at Bayern from 2010 to 2017 and with Germany from 2004 to 2014.

"Both teams went through a long process, becoming stronger through transfers or new players coming through. In the end, the sum was greater than the individual parts."

Woltemade, another great, young hope of German football, followed Wirtz to the Premier League when he made a club-record move for Newcastle, who were then able to grant Isak his wish and sign for the Reds on deadline day.

Woltemade hasn't truly convinced yet either but he has no doubt about his Die Mannschaft team-mate, calling him the best player he has played alongside.

"For me, he’s such an amazing player," said the 23-year-old of Wirtz on the Sky Sports Premier League Podcast channel.

"You can see how he’s always aware of everything on the pitch.

“His style is so smooth, and he’s really creative. For me, at the national team level, he’s one of the best players I’ve ever played with.”

Wirtz did get off the mark for the season during the international break when he scored a superb free kick in Germany's 3-1 win at home to Northern Ireland.

His aim now is to break his duck for Liverpool.

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