Florian Wirtz under scrutiny as Liverpool legend raises concerns over slow start

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Florian Wirtz, the German attacking midfielder who joined Liverpool in a club-record £116 million deal, has been facing scrutiny over a slow start to his Premier League career. Despite his high-profile transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, where he was instrumental in an unbeaten Bundesliga-winning season, Wirtz has struggled to replicate that form at Anfield. Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot recently dropped him to the bench for the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea before the international break, highlighting ongoing concerns about his adaptation.

Wirtz’s difficulties have partly been attributed to the physicality of the Premier League, with both Slot and Wirtz himself acknowledging that further adaptation is needed. The German’s intense off-ball running appears to be taxing his energy, impacting his effectiveness when in possession. Statistical analysis supports this view, showing a significant drop in his progressive passes received per 90 minutes—from 11.7 at Leverkusen to just 6.73 at Liverpool—and modest expected goals and assists figures, with 1.3 and 1.4 respectively. His final-third contributions have been limited, and he has rarely occupied shooting positions or been let down by teammates when creating chances.

Nonetheless, Wirtz's quality is still evident. Germany’s national team coach Julian Nagelsmann and former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp have defended him, emphasizing his creativity and chance creation despite the apparent lack of goal output. Nagelsmann pointed out that Wirtz remains the player creating the most chances in the Premier League, though his teammates have not always capitalized on them. Moments of promise have surfaced, including a strong connection with new arrival Hugo Ekitiké and effective link-up play with Alexander Isak, particularly in Liverpool’s Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid.

Wirtz’s subtle playmaking—characterized by quick movement and minimal touches—has not fully aligned with Liverpool’s expectations or fan demands for direct, visible impact. Settling into the Premier League’s style and building confidence may eventually boost his final-third productivity. The club and supporters await the full realization of his potential, hoping his early challenges will give way to the influential performances that justified his record transfer fee.

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