The Japan Times - Home comforts beckon as under-fire Wirtz returns to Germany duty

Wirtz is yet to score or assist in nine matches in the Premier League and Champions League since arriving at Anfield in the summer for a fee of £100 million (115 million euros) that could rise to £116 million.

Liverpool's three-game losing streak, their longest under coach Arne Slot, has turned up the heat on the 22-year-old midfielder.

Germany's October World Cup qualifiers are an ideal chance for Wirtz to find form.

The Germans take on Luxembourg on Friday and play Northern Ireland in Belfast three days later.

After an opening 2-0 loss in Slovakia and an unconvincing win over Northern Ireland, the four-time World Cup winners also need to find form fast to guarantee qualification for next year's World Cup.

- 'The obvious problem' -

Only 10 games into life at Liverpool, Wirtz has already felt the sting of the British media.

After the Champions League defeat to Galatasaray, former Liverpool defender turned commentator Jamie Carragher said Wirtz should be dropped, calling him "the obvious problem".

"He's not at the races at all," Carragher said, adding "he needs to come out of the team for Liverpool to get back to where they were last season."

Broadcaster Gary Neville called Wirtz "a bit predictable", saying he "needs work, needs coaching".

Wirtz's numbers may not make for pretty reading but some have suggested the midfielder's struggles cannot be separated from Liverpool's poor performances.

"Wirtz is taking a bit longer to settle in than we thought, that's all it is," pundit Micah Richards said on Wednesday in a podcast.

"Wirtz is creating some very good chances -- they're just not being taken.

"The problem is the price tag."

In the second half against Galatasaray, Wirtz twice created strong chances for Liverpool to equalise, both of which were wasted.

Moments after coming off the bench in Saturday's loss to Chelsea, Wirtz laid on a clever backheel on the turn for Mo Salah.

After blasting wide with only the goalkeeper to beat, the Egyptian apologised to Wirtz.

- 'Sure bet' -

Wirtz can benefit from a return to Germany, where most believe concerns over his ability are greatly exaggerated.

German FA (DFB) sport boss Andreas Rettig told Bild on Wednesday: "One thing is certain -- Florian will make his mark at Liverpool."

DFB sporting director Rudi Voeller told Sky Sports Wirtz needed time to adjust to his new role at Liverpool but "would prevail".

"At Leverkusen, they were always looking for him, he always received the ball and he was the leader. At Liverpool, he's not being served like he used to be."

World Cup-winning captain Philipp Lahm called the midfielder a "sure bet".

But the most important endorsement came from coach Julian Nagelsmann, who called Wirtz Germany's "most important attacking player".

Long-term injuries to attackers Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz have made Wirtz Germany's main creative force.

Against Northern Ireland in September, Wirtz scored a stunning free-kick to put Germany on course for victory.

Never Germany's primary goal scorer, the former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder has seven and three assists in his past 15 international games.

Wirtz himself seems untroubled by his early Liverpool teething problems.

In an interview with Sky Germany in September, Wirtz said: "Of course I would have liked to have already scored a goal or been involved in a few goals.

"But no matter what anyone says, I stay calm. I know what I can do, and I know that eventually I'll show it fully on the pitch."

K.Nakajima--JT