Danny Murphy downplays Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak’s problems at Liverpool

The former Liverpool player continued speaking talkSPORT about the pair’s achievements, starting with Wirtz.

Murphy admitted the German midfielder had made a disappointing start at Anfield and suggested this was due to his lack of physicality.

He said: “I think it’s fair to say that I and many others are a little disappointed with his [Wirtz’s] levels. He’s had glimpses. I’m not too worried about the numbers because he’s created a lot of chances for people and he’s been in some good positions to score.

“But I think now you’re getting to the point where you have to see more. You think: come on, now you have to stand up and be counted. The argument that I’ve said from the beginning and that’s fair and that I think is true is that he looked a little bit physically lost in certain Premier League games with the intensity of it, the power of it.”

Wirtz is yet to record a goal contribution in the Premier League, but he has two assists in the Champions League.

Murphy has suggested that his superior performances in European competition are a result of it being less physical than the English top flight.

“He’s actually had his best games in Europe where he looked really good, which makes sense, another game, more technical, even the Madrid game to a point where he played well,” Murphy continued.

“The Premier League is brutal, brutal and physical and he looked a bit off.”

Despite Wirtz’s struggles to get up to speed, Murphy is confident his football skills will set him the benchmark for success.

The 22-year-old may still be adapting to the Premier League, but he has the talent to succeed once he solves his biggest problem.

Murphy added: “I think he’ll get through it because he’s so smart, his football is so intelligent and so stylish. I think his biggest problem is the physical and I don’t mean that he’s going to become a speed merchant and dynamic overnight, that’s not what he is.”

“But if you’re not physically brilliant and that’s not your attribute, you really need to be in top condition and he looks like he’s a bit leggy.

“He’s still covering the distance, he’s still moving around, but the sharpness isn’t there. When I looked at all his [Bayer] Leverkusen, he looks much sharper when he goes past people and with the ball. I’m not worried about him, but I don’t think this will happen overnight.

Germany director Julian Nagelsmann took aim at Wirtz’s teammates at Liverpool a few days ago, blaming Wirtz’s uninspiring form on those who failed to convert the chances he created.

This is a theory that Murphy refuses to accept as there are past examples, such as Luis Suarez, of players helping transform a side struggling to achieve results.

“I think in a bad team you can look better than him. If you have that much quality and a bit about yourself, you can still look like a really good player,” Murphy said.

“If you think about it [Luis] Suarez walked through the door at Anfield when they were struggling and he came in and just looked like a million bucks. No, I think you can still have a good impact, so I don’t really agree with that.

“I think it helps when you come across a team that is winning and playing good, good front-foot football because you just get involved and everyone around you joins in. That obviously makes it easier.”

“But I still think you can shine on a dark night. In a bad team you can shine, and he doesn’t shine enough.”

The conversation then turned to Alexander Isak, who has had his own problems since leaving Newcastle United for the English champions.

While the striker does not have the excuse of needing time to find his way in a new competition, he did not play during pre-season and has had some fitness issues since.

Murphy continued: “Isaks is the most understandable, because you can’t not train and not have a preseason anywhere and do it alone.

“We’ve seen his quality in the Prem. We know he’s capable, that’s not a problem. The style doesn’t matter, he’s one of these very intelligent strikers who can connect with anyone.”

“He will definitely be fine, he just needs to get himself fit and then he has had a little problem recently and has missed a few more games, that won’t be a problem.”

Despite Murphy’s faith in both players turning around their fortunes at Liverpool, he believes it is too late for his former club to challenge for the league title.

However, the Champions League is still on offer and Liverpool’s new signings would be keen to get their hands on the famous European Cup, with the Reds’ last win coming in 2019.