'He's such an exceptional footballer' - Michael Ballack explains why he has no concerns over Florian Wirtz despite difficult Liverpool start

Liverpool v Arsenal - Premier League

Former Germany star Michael Ballack has backed Florian Wirtz to show his quality at Liverpool, insisting the midfielder's slow start is nothing to worry about.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Wirtz is still looking for his first goal or assist for the Reds following his £100 million (€116m/$136m) move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer. The 22-year-old featured in his new side's opening three Premier League fixtures against Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Arsenal as Arne Slot's men collected maximum points before the international break.

FC Bayern München v SV Werder Bremen - Bundesliga

THE BIGGER PICTURE

However Ballack fully expects Wirtz to soon find his feet at Liverpool, with the former Bayern Munich and Chelsea man putting his compatriot's early-season form down to him adjusting to being one of a number of stars at Anfield after previously being Leverkusen's main man.

WHAT BALLACK SAID

In an interview with German publication BILD, Ballack said: “There’s a lot of competition within the Liverpool team, and expectations of Florian Wirtz have increased from the outside. Or rather the expectations he has of himself. And at the beginning, it won’t be like it was in Leverkusen, where everyone plays for him and he gets almost every ball.

"That’s why it’s legitimate that he still needs to find his way around a bit. But he’s such an exceptional footballer, so I’m not worried about him. For him and his development, the move to England wasn’t a bad move."

DID YOU KNOW?

Wirtz did manage to find the back of the net in Germany's 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland in World Cup qualifying on Sunday. Julian Nagelsmann's side got their qualification campaign back on track having suffered a shock 2-0 defeat against Slovakia on September 4.

Newcastle United v Liverpool - Premier League

WHAT NEXT FOR WIRTZ AND LIVERPOOL?

Wirtz is expected to start when Liverpool return to Premier League action with a trip to newly-promoted Burnley on Sunday. The Merseysiders will then get their Champions League campaign up and running when they entertain Atletico Madrid on September 17.