Florian Wirtz has been tipped to flourish at Liverpool next season after enduring the inevitable growing pains of his debut Premier League campaign.

The German attacking midfielder's first year at Anfield was always going to be under the microscope following his £116million summer arrival from Bayer Leverkusen. Seven goals and 10 assists across an inconsistent season tells only part of the story of a player adapting to English football's unique demands.

Steffen Freund, the former Germany international who experienced his own Premier League education with Tottenham and Leicester, believes Wirtz's struggles were entirely predictable. Speaking after watching the 23-year-old score in Germany's 4-0 friendly victory over Finland, Freund offered a perspective that Liverpool supporters might find reassuring.

"I think the first year is always difficult, especially when you move to Liverpool as the Premier League champions," Freund explained. "The pressure was already there and it's a big traditional club. He was outstanding for Leverkusen and of course for Germany."

The reality is that Wirtz arrived at Anfield carrying the weight of expectation that comes with a nine-figure transfer fee. His performances for both club and country had marked him as one of Europe's brightest talents, but the Premier League has a way of humbling even the most gifted players during their adjustment period.

Freund's own experience offers valuable insight into what Wirtz has been navigating. "I was shocked in the beginning because there's so much energy in every game," he recalled. "At 2-0 up, you think the job's done. But no, five or 10 minutes later, it's 2-2. So that's why it's taken a little bit more time for him to adapt."

This speaks to the relentless nature of English football that catches so many continental players off guard. The Bundesliga, for all its quality, simply doesn't prepare players for the week-in, week-out intensity that defines the Premier League experience.

What should encourage Liverpool supporters is Freund's conviction that Wirtz will emerge stronger from this learning curve. "I would say if he's not injured again, then he will take the next step next season. Especially if he's adapted to the pace of the Premier League and the physical presence, because it's a higher level than the Bundesliga."

The injury caveat is telling. Fitness concerns have been part of Wirtz's story, and staying available will be crucial to building the consistency that his talent deserves. When fully fit and firing, his technical ability and creativity remain undoubted.

Freund also hinted at a broader solution that might ease the pressure on Liverpool's record signing. "Maybe Liverpool will sign one or two big players so that it's not only Florian Wirtz who will have to make a difference on the pitch," he suggested.

There's wisdom in this observation. The burden of justifying such a massive investment can weigh heavily on individual players. Spreading that responsibility across multiple high-profile additions could allow Wirtz to focus purely on his football rather than carrying the hopes of an entire fanbase.

"I'm sure he will go to the next step. And then everyone will love him because he could be a top-class player. His ability and skill is why I still believe in him," Freund concluded.

For Liverpool, patience will be the watchword. The club invested heavily in Wirtz not for immediate returns but for long-term brilliance. His debut season, whilst inconsistent, provided valuable education in the demands of English football.

As he prepares for World Cup duty with Germany, Wirtz carries the confidence of representing his country on the biggest stage. That experience, combined with a full season of Premier League learning, should serve him well when he returns to Anfield for what many expect to be a breakthrough campaign.