Germany legend claims Liverpool at fault for slow Florian Wirtz start

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Germany sporting director Rüdi Völler has identified reasons behind Florian Wirtz’s slow start at Liverpool after the midfielder's high-profile summer transfer from Bayer Leverkusen for €125 million. Speaking on Sky90, Völler emphasized that while Wirtz is very active on the pitch—running, sprinting, and frequently dropping deep—he does not receive the same style of play and passing he was accustomed to at Leverkusen or with the German national team. This difference in usage means Wirtz needs an adaptation period, spanning weeks or months, to adjust to Liverpool’s system and regain his spark.

Völler, familiar with Wirtz from his Leverkusener days, praised his character, stating the 22-year-old is no "diva," but rather a player with an exceptional work ethic and strong mentality who is determined to succeed despite early struggles. Even with no goals or assists so far in the Premier League and Champions League in nine appearances, Wirtz has created 21 chances in England’s top flight and showed promise when coming off the bench in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.

Despite Liverpool’s recent difficult run—including three consecutive defeats—Völler remains confident that Wirtz will ultimately overcome these challenges and fulfill his potential for the club. This view contrasts with some criticism from media and fans who have blamed Wirtz's form for Liverpool's struggles. However, both Völler and Wirtz himself acknowledge the natural process of adjusting to a new league and club dynamics, with the player focusing on continuing to improve his integration into the team.

Overall, Völler’s assessment points to Liverpool's tactical setup and adaptation demands as key factors in Wirtz’s slow start, rather than any lack of talent or effort from the German star.

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