If few know what it has been wish to be Florian Wirtz in the previous few months, Virgil van Dijk in all probability has a greater concept than most, and never merely as a result of he’s a Liverpool FC teammate. The Dutchman has been there: signed for a supersized payment, with sky-high expectations, arriving from a smaller membership to be plunged into the highlight as Liverpool’s file purchase. Wirtz grew to become Liverpool’s first £100m man. But Van Dijk’s value may need stood out nonetheless extra: some £75m, making him the costliest defender in historical past when he joined in 2018.
However there . Van Dijk ranked as a direct success. He scored a late winner on his Liverpool debut; to compound it, it was a Merseyside derby. Wirtz received an help 4 minutes into his Liverpool profession however it was . After 18 video games and 4 months, he nonetheless has not scored. Even when he thought he did, Liverpool’s was as a substitute deemed a Nordi Mukiele personal aim.
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Wirtz has been benched for 4 demanding Premier League video games. His introduction to life at Liverpool has coincided with their worst run in over seven many years. He has been No 10, winger and substitute; Liverpool have struggled to adapt to him and vice versa. Van Dijk sounded supportive, sympathetic in regards to the dimension of the payment, however however espoused a concept of particular person self-reliance. Wirtz has to deal with being referred to as the £116m man.
“You’ll be able to speak about it as a lot as you need, do no matter you need, however it’s a must to take care of it your self,” he mentioned. “He’s nonetheless such a younger, proficient boy who got here to the membership for some huge cash however he did not pay that cash, he is a part of the larger image of making an attempt to be successful right here.”
Florian Wirtz reacts in the course of the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield (AFP/Getty)
It helped Van Dijk that there was an early upturn after his signing. 4 months into his time at Liverpool, he was taking part in in a Champions League last whereas, on the equal stage, Wirtz is in a group that has been crushed 9 instances in 14 video games. The defender can in all probability testify {that a} price ticket is talked about much less when a signing is considered successful. Earlier than then, although, he managed to brush it apart.
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“They may say no matter they wished to me however it’s about getting going,” he added. “Begin working and simply take pleasure in being a part of the largest membership on this planet and struggle for the badge and present your qualities every day. I am fairly certain it is going to be tremendous however in the mean time we’re all looking for consistency on the pitch with our outcomes and we’d like everybody of their greatest form.”
Florian Wirtz celebrates Liverpool’s equaliser (PA Wire)
And Van Dijk stays satisfied that Wirtz’s greatest is superb. He was named the Bundesliga’s participant of the yr in 2023-24 and his captain sees scope for additional enchancment.
“There’s an excellent purpose why a membership like us purchased him: he is an impressive, world-class participant in my eyes who can solely develop into even higher however it should take a little bit of time. He has to remain level-headed: do not get too excessive, do not get too low,” mentioned a person who usually cuts a measured determine himself.
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Arguably, three of Wirtz’s 4 greatest performances have come within the Champions League, in opposition to Actual and Atletico Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt, and he has made two objectives in Europe. He had his half within the leveller in opposition to Sunderland and excelled on Sunday at West Ham however he stays with out an help in addition to a aim within the Premier League.
Different statistics present Wirtz within the high 20 for many probabilities created within the division this season and Germany supervisor Julian Nagelsmann has argued the issue is that Liverpool have missed them. Van Dijk believes the reply is to disregard the unflattering details.
(REUTERS)
“Do not get dragged into the surface world of when it is excellent or very unhealthy and do not get dragged into the numbers sport,” he suggested. “These days there are quite a lot of eyes on in case you rating objectives or have an help or preserve clear sheets however it is usually about what you see and the contribution you could have for the group, that is not simply proven within the numbers however in what you see and that ought to typically be the main target. For him it’s about holding his head down, preserve taking part in, preserve working. Everyone knows how shortly issues can change.”
Perhaps Wirtz continues to be ready for that transformative second. The final week would counsel he’s getting nearer. However maybe it was typical that even when he thought he had scored, he had not.