Much maligned amphibian finds love a little overwhelming (4)
I believe the answer is:
toad
'much maligned amphibian' is the definition.
'toad' can be an answer for 'amphibian' (toad is a kind of amphibian). I am not sure about the 'much maligned' bit.
'love a little overwhelming' is the wordplay.
'love' becomes 'o' (love means zero in tennis).
'a little' becomes 'tad' (both can mean a small amount).
'overwhelming' is an insertion indicator.
'o' inserted into 'tad' is 'TOAD'.
'finds' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for toad that I've seen before include "Wind in Willows motorist" , "Ancestral hall on River Bank" , "Stout-bodied amphibian" , "Contemptible person" , "not found in Ireland" .)