Florian Wirtz struggled in Liverpool’s loss to Man City
Wirtz, who has struggled for form since his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen, was once again anonymous as Liverpool fell to their fifth defeat in six Premier League games.
The reigning Premier League champions were comfortably beaten by Manchester City on Sunday, with Wirtz particularly quiet as Liverpool struggled to dominate the midfield.
It’s been a frustrating start to life in England for Wirtz, and while Neville has previously been sympathetic, saying the 22-year-old needed a period of adaptation, he was scathing in his assessment of Wirtz’s performance at the Etihad.
“I thought Wirtz in particular - it was a really bad day for him,” the former Manchester United defender said on the Gary Neville Podcast.
Wirtz has yet to register a goal or an assist for Liverpool in the Premier League, and patience is wearing thin after Liverpool slipped eight points behind league leaders Arsenal.
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“We've been tip-toeing around him haven't we, for a few months, around the fact that he's young, coming to a new country. But he's £120million, you're going to have to stand up soon,” Neville continued.
“I mean he's obviously got something. He's a really good player and technically fantastic, but he's been mauled out there today by [Matheus] Nunes and by others. He's been chucked around the pitch and didn't deliver in the quality side of things either. His performance was a real worry.
“Wirtz is a problem, let's call it what it is. It's an issue. He's £120m and he looked like a little boy out there.
“It can't be the case. He's a German international of great standing and he looks well short of what you'd expect from a top physical match.”
Wirtz, who has started just two of Liverpool’s last five league games, arrived on Merseyside with lofty expectations this summer, after starring for Bayer Leverkusen as they secured an historic unbeaten league and cup double in 2024.
However, the German international, like many of Liverpool’s summer signings, has struggled for form as the Red’s title defence has fallen away dramatically in the last two months.
“They've got to get him up to speed and get that tenacity into him that means he can get into form. They've got to stick with him, and persist, but they've got to find a way to get the best out of him,” Neville added.