Alonso: 'Matter of time' before Wirtz comes good

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Liverpool manager Xabi Alonso expressed strong support for Florian Wirtz, stating it is just a "matter of time" before the young German midfielder succeeds at Liverpool. Alonso, who previously coached Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen during their Bundesliga-winning campaign, highlighted Wirtz's exceptional talent and potential to become a key player for Liverpool despite a slow start to life in the Premier League.

Wirtz, who joined Liverpool in a club-record transfer deal worth up to £116 million in the 2025 summer window, has struggled to replicate his Bundesliga form immediately, often finding the pace and physicality of the Premier League challenging. He has faced criticism for his limited impact in matches and was notably benched for Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea before the international break. However, both Alonso and Germany national team coach Julian Nagelsmann have defended the player, emphasizing his creativity and chance-creation despite a lack of goals thus far.

Alonso, speaking about Wirtz's adaptation process, said that the midfielder just needs time to get used to the league’s demands and that he has observed Wirtz play "with total freedom," showing the kind of skill and vision that made him stand out at Leverkusen. Nagelsmann echoed this sentiment, pointing out that Wirtz is currently the Premier League player who creates the most chances, even if his teammates have not converted those opportunities yet.

The manager also touched on the competition and transition challenges within Liverpool, which include a significant summer squad overhaul. Despite this, Alonso remains optimistic that Wirtz’s complete potential will emerge as he settles in, contributing significantly to Liverpool’s attacking options over time.

In summary, Alonso’s backing serves as a vote of confidence amid a period of adjustment for Wirtz, whose technical abilities and past performances indicate he is poised to flourish in the Premier League given proper time and support.