Florian Wirtz has endured a slow start to his Liverpool career - but Gary Lineker has thrown his backing behind the German international to become a hit at Anfield
Gary Lineker has been speaking about Florian Wirtz's slow start to his Liverpool career
Gary Lineker has been speaking about Florian Wirtz's slow start to his Liverpool career
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Gary Lineker has acknowledged Florian Wirtz 'is really good at football' and insists he has shown enough in the past to suggest he will prove his worth to Liverpool. The Reds kicked-off their summer spending by securing the services of the sought-after German from Bayer Leverkusen in a package worth a then-British record £116m.
However, despite the fanfare around Wirtz’s arrival at Anfield, he has so far failed to score or claim an assist in the Premier League. He was also named on the bench for Saturday’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa.
The 22-year-old is currently under increasing scrutiny, but both Lineker and Micah Richards believe the playmaker has what it takes to become a success at Anfield, with the former Match of the Day host even going as far as branding the Germany international an "exceptional" talent.
“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 has endured a slow start to his Liverpool career
Florian Wirtz has endured a slow start to his Liverpool career
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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 by declaring: “He’s really good at football.”
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