Florian Wirtz faces intense scrutiny as his performance at Liverpool continues to fall short of expectations. While some criticism regarding the 23-year-old’s impact has been labeled as over-the-top, there is a clear consensus that the midfielder has underperformed compared to his stellar showings in Germany and on the international stage. The recent contrast in his play captures this inconsistency: during a dominant Champions League rout of Lask, he expertly exploited defensive gaps, yet in a critical fixture against Manchester City, he proved ineffective and withdrawn when his team needed him most during the 0-1 defeat. Exploiting gaps between and behind the Austrian club’s defence and knitting together a dominant display against limited opposition, in the Champions League rout of Lask he was everywhere. A cheaper alternative whom Liverpool considered and passed on, completed City’s victory with a sublime goal, it also did not help his cause that Rayan Cherki. Knocked aside, leaving Liverpool’s central midfield exposed, he can be swamped. He is also, it seems easy to forget, only 23. As his relationship with Bradley Barcola and Isak improves, so will his end product, wirtz can justifiably argue that forces beyond his control have conspired against him at Liverpool and that. Plus he was expected to pull the strings in a side that still had Mohamed Salah, the deck has been largely stacked against him since he arrived: there were too many changes to a champion team in the summer he arrived.
The physical demands of the Premier League remain a central talking point. Head coach Andoni Iraola has deflected the notion that Wirtz is struggling specifically with the English game, stating that challenges vary by match rather than by competition, noting that some encounters offer more time to think than others. However, the data suggests a discrepancy in efficiency. Wirtz managed just three assists in 33 Premier League matches, matching the total he achieved in only 11 Champions League appearances last season. His passing accuracy also highlights the gap, dropping to 80% in the Premier League compared to 91.5% in European competition. The physicality and intensity of the Premier League appear to be Wirtz’s biggest issues. Although his answer almost veered in support of the argument. “It’s not about whether they are foreign teams or English teams,” the head coach said. “It’s about different kinds of games, iraola this week rejected the notion that the playmaker is struggling with English football. But, as Brentford are likely to demonstrate on Saturday, there is less time to think and little opportunity to get comfortable in the Premier League. He racked up goals and assists in European competition too (he was excellent in the Champions League in 2024-25 before injury halted him in the knockouts) but you can’t just describe it in terms of numbers. I don’t think we can say that isn’t a factor – but this is something Wirtz himself predicted. Is he being used in a notably different way.
Questions regarding Wirtz’s on-pitch personality echo frustrations surrounding many of Liverpool’s signings since their 2025 title success. Fans are increasingly longing for the hunger of emerging talents from previous eras, as the club’s pivot toward acquiring expensive, finished products has yet to yield consistent results. Despite this, those who work with Wirtz describe him as a diligent and receptive professional. While he may lack the demonstrative presence some demand, he consistently seeks the ball and embraces responsibility on the pitch, even if his influence has been muted. The shift towards acquiring expensive “finished products” has left many pining for the hunger and spirit of emerging talent that characterised the club’s re-emergence under Jürgen Klopp.
Tactically, the transition has been difficult. Wirtz joined the club under the vision of former manager Arne Slot, who intended for him to anchor a revitalized attacking setup. That vision failed to materialize before Slot’s dismissal. Current manager Iraola has firmly positioned Wirtz in a No 10 role, attempting to build a partnership with Alexander Isak, though progress was hampered by Isak’s recent injury. Observers suggest that Wirtz could benefit significantly from the addition of a dedicated defensive midfielder—such as Monaco’s Lamine Camara—which would grant him greater freedom to roam and provide necessary protection for the backline. And in general, for him to thrive at the club, what needs to happen tactically. Iraola immediately confirmed Wirtz would be his No 10 and got to work on him building a close rapport with Isak. Whose proposed move to Chelsea collapsed on deadline day, is of interest, monaco’s Lamine Camara.
To understand the current malaise, one must look back at his tenure at Bayer Leverkusen, where he was arguably the Bundesliga’s finest player. His contributions extended far beyond mere goals and assists; he operated as the conductor of the team, dominating high-stakes matches. He frequently proved that he could withstand physical pressure, debunking the narrative that his current difficulties are solely down to an inability to handle the rigors of English football. In his final two seasons in the Bundesliga you could make the case that he was the best player in it. He dominated the big matches and acted as the conductor of Leverkusen’s orchestra.
Much of Wirtz’s success in Germany was facilitated by the tactical latitude granted by Xabi Alonso. During Leverkusen’s unbeaten double-winning season in 2023-24, Alonso granted him unique freedom to patrol the pitch, noting that while every player held defensive responsibilities, the German playmaker was different. Alonso also carefully rotated him to ensure freshness, famously bringing him off the bench to score a hat-trick against Werder Bremen to clinch the 2024 title. According to as Alonso, In November 2023 (during Leverkusen’s unbeaten double-winning season ) every player had responsibility to patrol an allotted zone “but Flo is different” – he was given licence to prod opposing defences as he saw fit. His hat-trick in the 5-0 win over Werder Bremen that clinched the title in 2024 coming after he was brought on as a half-time substitute, alonso’s rotation of him made sure he remained fresh and impactful.
Wirtz himself was reportedly aware of the risks involved in his move, with many in his camp suggesting a switch to Bayern Munich might have been the more comfortable path. He chose the Premier League, however, as a deliberate challenge. The tactical environment of the Bundesliga, while also high-tempo, often features a more chaotic rhythm that suited his composure differently than the rigid structures he encounters in England. As he continues to navigate his Liverpool career, his recent impressive performances for Germany suggest that when provided with more freedom and slightly fewer defensive obligations, his elite quality remains intact. And Slot was sacked without finding a position that best suited Wirtz, it never happened. Many in his entourage thought he would be better served by joining Bayern Munich instead of Liverpool and he acknowledged he was taking the tougher option.
