'It's unfair' - Robertson heaps praise on misfiring Florian Wirtz, hails crucial contribution in Eintracht Frankfurt demolition and backs Liverpool star to prove doubters wrong

After lifting the Premier League crown in May, Liverpool invested heavily this summer in a bid to retain their title, but they’ve made an uncertain start, including a worrying run of four defeats in a row which only  came to an end courtesy of the convincing 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. The champions have struggled defensively with set-pieces and countering long-ball tactics, while offensively they have been less threatening from open play. Injuries have affected key players like Alisson, Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong and Ryan Gravenberch, disrupting rhythm and squad selection. And inconsistency from star players like Mohamed Salah have added to the challenges.

Wirtz has struggled to adapt to the Premier League's intensity, resulting in a muted start with no goals or assists in the league - but he did provide two assists in the Champions League in midweek. His reduced attacking output reflects difficulties acclimatising to a new tactical system under Slot, with fewer touches and having less influence in advanced positions than enjoyed at Bayer Leverkusen. He is still adjusting to the physicality of English football.

Robertson said: "I thought he was outstanding, excellent. I thought he grew and grew into the game, especially the second half. Players around him helped him a lot – Curtis Jones was outstanding – and I thought the three midfielders helped us gain the momentum and keep the ball. Flo has been really good since he came here. People focus on numbers of goals and assists but at times it's unfair as he's created a hell of a lot of chances and on Wednesday some of the chances he created ended up as an assist. Hopefully he can take a lot from this performance."

Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast before the Frankfurt game, the former Manchester United defender admitted that Wirtz would be allowed to question his decision. He said: "It’s a huge call – you’re a £100m player. I was a record signing a couple of times in my career, and if at any point in those first two or three months, if a manager dropped me for a game of that importance and significance, there would have been huge doubts in my mind." 

Ferdinand added: "Doubts would creep in, it would be impossible that you don’t start thinking 'have I made the right decision?' I was with a player, I can’t mention his name, he was a big signing for a team, and he said he started slow at one of the teams he signed for, and he was going: 'Oh my god, have I made the right decision?‘ There is no doubt in my mind right now that when Wirtz saw his name not on that team sheet that he was going on his way home, in the warm-up, in his bed that night: 'Is this the right decision?'"