Florian Wirtz has nowhere to hide as Andoni Iraola just had biggest Liverpool task spelled out
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Florian Wirtz's World Cup has ended in embarrassing exit for Germany, and after a disappointing first season at Liverpool, all eyes will be on him heading into next seasonFlorian Wirtz will be returning to Liverpool much earlier than he had hoped(Image: Getty Images)What a difference a year can make. Just a little over 12 months ago, Florian Wirtz was unveiled as Liverpool’s new record signing, and the hype could not have been bigger.The Reds had just beaten Manchester City and Bayern Munich to the signing of perhaps Germany’s biggest star, and fresh from winning the title, this was seen by many as a sign that no one would be able to stop Liverpool’s charge to another Premier League crown.Of course, it didn’t pan out that way.
In fact, he perhaps did more than most of his teammates to keep his nation in the tournament, having created Kai Havertz’s equalizer against Paraguay.For a potentially $154 million player though, more was expected from some.Florian Wirtz and Germany are out of the World Cup(Image: Getty Images)“Wirtz has had a terrible season at Liverpool, he hasn't performed again at this World Cup,” Alan Shearer rather bluntly stated after Germany’s exit from the tournament."So it's alright saying they've got the quality, but the quality wasn't there. Learn moreLiverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign.The World Cup was a real chance for him to send a reminder of his quality, but while he claimed three assists, he isn’t going to shake the tag that is going to follow all of Germany’s players now - that this was a failure.All eyes will be on him now at Liverpool next season.
He’s had a full season in the Premier League, he has a new head coach who should suit his style, and he will be expected to be the main creative influence following Mohamed Salah’s exit - there really is nowhere to hide now for Wirtz.And that is perhaps Andoni Iraola’s biggest challenge upon taking the job at Anfield. Liverpool scraped by with him not making his mark in the big games last season - he has to change that now.