Florian Wirtz vows to do "a lot of things better" ahead of second season at Liverpool

This time last year, most were forecasting that Liverpool would very easily retain the Premier League title, given their enormous summer expenditure. However, the campaign of course did not go to plan, hence why Arne Slot is no longer in charge. Nevertheless, Andoni Iraola inherits a very talented squad of players with enormous potential, even if many are yet to show it in Liverpool colours.

Well, that certainly applies to Florian Wirtz. After joining from Bayer Leverkusen for £116 million, the German accumulated just seven goals and ten assists, very not able to showcase the full extent of his talents. Having recently arrived at the Reds' training base Chicago Fire Endeavor Health Performance Center, the 23 year old gave an interview to the club's official website, speaking openly about his hopes for the forthcoming campaign:

Wirtz when asked about making next season better than the last

"I wasn’t happy at all... I think we start from zero this season. Also here with this training camp, it’s a new start. We have a lot of things to do better this season and I’m very excited for season two."

As already noted, Wirtz is not the only player hoping for a fresh start at Liverpool, needing season two to be better than season one. The same is even is even more the case for Alexander Isak, who broke the British transfer record when he arrived from Newcastle for £130 million on deadline day, shattering a record set by Wirtz himself just a few weeks earlier.

Despite the enormous price tag, the Swede scored just four goals for the Reds, netting against Southampton in the EFL Cup and then West Ham, Tottenham and Crystal Palace in the Premier League. While scoring in North London just before Christmas, a challenge from Micky van de Ven saw Isak suffer a fractured ankle and fibula, thereby spending the next four months on the sidelines.

However, could these two as a combination be key to Liverpool's success? Earlier this week, Iraola confirmed that he plans to deploy Wirtz in the "position behind a striker", adding "we are going to start working with him in that position". This was put to Wirtz and this is what he had to say:

Florian Wirtz when asked about his best role

"Of course. I mean, I was always more like a number 10. But I play where the manager puts me. We’ve spoken about that as well. Let’s see what happens this season."

It would appear as though head coach and star player are aligned, which is certainly a good start. Beyond that, it would seem as though Wirtz has enjoyed his first week working with the new boss:

"I just can say that the training is really fun, I enjoyed every training session until now. We play a lot of games and possessions, and that’s exactly what I like. I just enjoyed it until now. "

So, is Iraola and Wirtz a match made in heaven? Well, the Spaniard's high-energy, high-intensity approach should help get the best out of Wirtz. It is a style he will be used to and has flourished in previously during his time in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen.

During die Schwarzroten's invincible Bundesliga title winning campaign, he scored 18 goals and racked up 20 assists in all competition, before accumulating 16 goals and 14 assists in his final campaign at the BayArena. If Wirtz is able to recapture that form, that will make an enormous difference to Liverpool's chances of challenging for the biggest honours.

So, when will we see Wirtz in action for the first time in pre-season? Well, having joined up with the squad last weekend, the German, as well as Isak and Ryan Gravenberch, are in line to see some minutes against Leeds United at Soldier Field on Sunday, likely off the bench. Once the serious business begins, getting the best out of Wirtz will be something Iraola is certainly focussing on.

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