Andoni Iraola believes Florian Wirtz will be key to unlocking Liverpool’s “new weapons” in attack and is not concerned by the German’s numbers.
Wirtz has made a steady start after being told he will be Iraola’s preferred No.10.
The £116m summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen has one assist, but has also played a key role in the build-up to other goals and created several chances.
With Liverpool’s attack strengthened by Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, Bradley Barcola, Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha, Iraola expects Florian Wirtz to play a central role.
“There is an argument to make that the wingers have changed more than anywhere else with Bradley and Victor,” said the Reds boss, whose side entertain Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
“They have new weapons that we can use. With Florian, he is key for us.
“But I am not worried because he can play very well in the game. He will quickly learn where Victor prefers the ball or where Bradley prefers the ball.
“And, also, Bradley in just his second game you could see they already had a good association. I am not very worried.”
“He played very well against Atletico Madrid,” said Iraola. “He helped us a lot, also he was very good on the ball and overall I was very happy with his performance.
“The game against Ipswich in the second half he lost more balls than normal but overall I have been very happy with his performances.
“He is a good player out of possession who helps us in our press. But he runs the same as the 10 of Arsenal, the 10 of (Manchester) City, the 10 of Fulham and more or less his stats are very similar to the number 10s other teams have.
“I agree (he has been unlucky). I remember the ‘goal’ he scored against Nottingham Forest, he could have had very good assists but we haven’t finished them.
“But that is why you cannot just play because of the numbers. Whether a striker scores a lot of goals or he doesn’t score a lot of goals, you have to look at the performances. Does he help us to play well? Yes.
“Well, someone will score the goals and someone will give the assists. It is not that because you had the last touch, you played better than the other person.
“I am not too focused about numbers. Nowadays everything is about numbers, everyone tells players you have to assist, you have to score goals. For me, you have to help us play well. Someone will score the goals if we are doing well collectively.”
“I saw him as a 10 but also someone who can help us in other positions, but I prefer him as a number 10,” said the Liverpool boss. “Then I told him a little bit how the team was going to play.
“He is an easy to maintain player. Sometimes you have to speak to players a lot but Flo is very professional. He is very focused every day, he trains well.
“He doesn’t need me to be on him because he does the basics very well. There is more to come from every player and I hope we improve every player. But I am happy with what he has given in these games.”
Barcola could make his first Premier League start against Fulham, while Munoz is also pushing for a place. Gakpo remains a fitness doubt after missing the Atletico Madrid game as a precaution.
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