The appointment of Andoni Iraola represents a clean slate for the entire Liverpool squad, and few players might feel as ready for a fresh start as Florian Wirtz.
The Germany international was arguably one of the Reds' better performers last term during a difficult campaign that saw them scrape home in the race for Champions League qualification. However, that is a low bar given how much Liverpool struggled under Arne Slot after winning their first five games, suffering twelve league defeats and twenty across all competitions.
While it would be unfair to say Wirtz was particularly poor, things have not gone as he would have wanted. It is twelve months since Liverpool paid an initial £100 million to Bayer Leverkusen for the jewel of German football, a club record fee with a further £16 million in bonuses based on the playmaker's success at Anfield.
Sold on the tactical blueprint supposedly outlined by Slot, Wirtz rejected Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and a late attempt from Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid. However, Slot was never able to properly execute that plan as the Reds struggled from September onwards. Seven goals and eight assists was a modest return for such a vaunted player, but Liverpool retain belief that they have one of the most talented number tens in world football. The early adaptation process was also thrown off course by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota in July.
Wirtz arrived at a club in mourning when he joined for pre-season, but fellow new signing and good friend Jeremie Frimpong made that process easier. The Reds view Wirtz in the same bracket as Virgil van Dijk (£75 million) and Alisson Becker (£65 million), both world-record fees for their positions in January and July 2018. Both became transformational signings that catapulted Liverpool towards major honours, and the club seeks a similar return on their investment in Wirtz.
A new system, different style of football, and an aggressive, front-footed approach aided by pace around him should allow the 23-year-old to truly showcase why he arrived with such a gilded reputation. The World Cup, where Germany face debutants Curacao in Houston, Texas, offers Wirtz a chance to shine on the big stage and remind everyone of his talent. Crucially for Liverpool, a strong showing could see him return to a new era at Anfield with the spring in his step that made the club break the bank for his services.
