Florian Wirtz struggling to forge connections in tough Liverpool baptism | Will Unwin

Alexander Isak was anonymous against Everton. Photograph: Liverpool FC/Getty Images

Glimpses of quality shine through, providing a number of smart passes and flicks, but not in the positions Wirtz is supposed to cause carnage. He sits in an area where he should have greater influence, sparking things into life and dominating opponents by giving them the runaround. His stats on Sunday offer promise, topping the list for most chances created, defensive line-breaking passes and successful passes in the final third, but they brought no tangible benefit.

Physicality is one issue, as Everton were able to push Wirtz off the ball regularly, but he is not the first of his stature to seek glory in the Premier League. There are elements of David Silva in his play, the way he wants to drive with the ball and outwit defenders, something the Spaniard did for years with great success and could provide the inspiration. Whatever Silva was doing, there was always an intensity to his actions, a trait Wirtz needs because he too often looks to be drifting through games.

Arne Slot felt there was nothing left for Wirtz to offer in a hard-fought game short of quality on both sides, withdrawing his playmaker with seven minutes of normal time remaining. Salah was the only member of the original front four to finish the game because his record shows that he can produce when it matters. Hugo Ekitiké was absent, as he will be for many months, but all other members of the bullpen were available to Slot and if they are to recover form next season, he will want to make changes, with the guarantee of needing to find an external Salah replacement because an in-house solution is unlikely.

Alexander Isak, Wirtz’s fellow nine-figure summer arrival and who is still working towards being fully fit, was another anonymous figure in the Liverpool lineup. He can point to more mitigating circumstances than Wirtz, joining after missing pre-season and suffering a broken leg since. His movement was rusty and the Everton centre-backs did not sweat much to keep him quiet before he was hooked.

The adversity of this season can make Wirtz stronger but he needs to start showing he is learning. Defeating Everton moved Liverpool closer to securing a return to the Champions League, a platform Wirtz will be desperate to prove himself on.

Van Dijk, the dependable captain, popping up with the latest of winners was fitting. Others need to start taking responsibility because Liverpool cannot count on those in their mid-30s to keep bailing them out for ever.