Gary Lineker and Micah Richards have had their say on Florian Wirtz, who has struggled to make an impact since joining Liverpool during the summer transfer window
Florian Wirtz has endured a slow start to his Liverpool career
Florian Wirtz has endured a slow start to his Liverpool career (Image: ( Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
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Gary Lineker and Micah Richards have praised Arne Slot for taking Florian Wirtz out of the firing line and both believe the Liverpool star will come good. The Reds started their summer business with a statement of intent by securing the services of the sought-after German from Bayer Leverkusen in a package worth a then-British record £116m.
But he has so far failed to score or claim an assist in the Premier League and was named on the bench for the 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday night. The 22-year-old is currently under increasing scrutiny, but both Lineker and Richards believe the playmaker has what it takes to become a success at Anfield.
“At the moment he is not up to speed for the Premier League, but he spent £100m on him, but 100% it was the right decision that he made,” Richards told the Rest is Football podcast.
“Without doubt. He had to do it. He had to do that. But in terms of the money spent, they have spent a lot, but they have also lost a lot.
"I know we have talked about Trent (Alexander-Arnold) before and all that sort of thing; of course you are going to miss that calibre of player.
“Liverpool now go back to what they did last season. Slowly but surely move Wirtz into the side, whether that is going to be on the left for (Cody) Gakpo, but the Premier League is too fast and furious.”
Lineker then said: “It would also be good for Wirtz to come back into the team when there is confidence. I think that would be sensible man-management at the moment.
“Take him out of the firing line a little bit and then bring him on because we know how good he is. He is a really good player, and you don’t buy these players for the first three months; you buy them for years ahead.
Florian Wirtz with Nathaniel Brown during Liverpool's recent Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt
Florian Wirtz with Nathaniel Brown during Liverpool's recent Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt
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“He is exceptional. We have watched so much of him in the last year or two, and he is so gifted, and it will come good for him, as long as he is mentally strong enough to deal with the situation at the moment because it won’t be easy for him. Don’t think he isn’t suffering at the moment with this.”
Richards agreed with the former Match of the Day host, saying: “I agree with that, and you know when we are talking about it, and a lot of people are saying he’s (cost) x money, you are protecting him.
"We have seen him play in the Champions League, and we know what he can do.
“I’m not basing my evidence on the Bundesliga; I’m basing it on Europe, and he started so young. He’s got to come good, and I believe he will.”
Lineker then concluded: “He’s really good at football.”
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