‘Mostly struggled’ – German media hammer ‘strained ego’ Florian Wirtz despite stunning free kick

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German media have criticised Florian Wirtz following Germany's recent international match against Northern Ireland. Despite playing the full 90 minutes and earning a decent SofaScore rating of 7.2, Wirtz was seen as lacking the necessary "fight" or competitive edge in his performance. This perception raised concerns about his mentality, especially since his Liverpool career is just beginning after a £116 million transfer from Bayer Leverkusen.

Germany's manager, Julian Nagelsmann, hinted at this shortcoming, sparking debates about whether Wirtz’s form at Liverpool is meeting expectations, as the club had invested heavily in him alongside another major signing, Alexander Isak. Wirtz is still regarded as pivotal to Germany’s plans moving forward; however, his recent displays have tested that confidence.

Following the criticism, Wirtz redeemed himself impressively by scoring a sublime free kick in Germany’s subsequent victory over Northern Ireland. This goal was seen as an answer to his detractors and a sign that he can bounce back mentally and perform under pressure.

For Liverpool, Wirtz’s ability to put any disappointment behind him and focus on his club duties, particularly in defending their Premier League title, is crucial. Under manager Arne Slot, Wirtz has shown glimpses of his class and fits well into the team’s system, but sustaining that level consistently remains a challenge highlighted by international scrutiny.

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