Liverpool's unbeaten start to the Premier League season is being undermined by a failure to finish games, a point acknowledged by playmaker Florian Wirtz. The Reds have drawn three of their opening four matches, leaving them eighth in the table with six points.
They were held by Newcastle on the opening weekend, then by Nottingham Forest and Fulham, dropping six points in total. The goalless draw at home to a Fulham side in the bottom three was a particular frustration, coming just before a morale-boosting 3-1 win over Tottenham.
Wirtz's self-assessment
Wirtz, the club's record signing deployed centrally as the No.10, has criticised the attack's efficiency. He said the team needs him and the other forwards to be more clinical in decisive moments.
"We definitely try to work on finishing games off," Wirtz said. He admitted the frontmen need to improve their conversion rate to turn draws into wins, adding that he has personal expectations to decide matches himself. The 23-year-old German's integration is a work in progress, but head coach Andoni Iraola is satisfied with his contribution so far.
Iraola's perspective
Iraola, who is yet to taste defeat as Liverpool boss, has moved to downplay the hype surrounding his big-money signing. He insists Wirtz should be judged on the same terms as every other player in the squad.
"He should be judged like everybody else, whether he plays well or doesn't play well," Iraola said. The manager added that he is very happy with Wirtz and believes the player understands what the team requires from him in every aspect of the game.
Despite the expensive arrivals, including Wirtz and Alexander Isak, it has been Cody Gakpo who has stood out as Liverpool's best performer in the early weeks. Summer signing Bradley Barcola is still searching for his first goal for the club, having missed chances in the Champions League win over Atletico Madrid. Other new faces like Victor Munoz and youngster Rio Ngumoha are also awaiting significant minutes.
The underlying numbers show a team creating chances but not taking enough of them. Top scorer Isak has three goals from four appearances, but the team's total of six goals from four league games is below par for a side with title aspirations. They currently sit six points behind leaders Arsenal.
Liverpool's immediate focus shifts to maintaining their positive momentum from the Tottenham victory. Their next test is an away trip to face Bournemouth, who are 15th, on Sunday. A win there would see them build on what Wirtz described as a "good base" from their unbeaten start. Check the full schedule on our fixtures list.
First reported at Daily Mirror Football
