Florian Wirtz could potentially look to seal a stunning quickfire exit from Liverpool if things don’t improve, according to a big new claim from journalist Marcel Reif.
The 22-year-old has endured a baptism of fire at Anfield since his big-money arrival from Bayer Leverksen this summer, still looking for his first goal for the Reds and sometimes being on the periphery of matches.
While more has been needed from Wirtz, he is playing in a team struggling for structure and confidence, and he hasn’t always been used in his preferred No.10 role that he has shone in so often in the past.
Speaking to Bild [via Sport Witness], Reif claimed that Wirtz’s Liverpool adventure may not last long if his struggles there continue:
“The expectations from the outside are so high because everyone says: ‘Look, there’s the wonder-kid for €125m. Come on, kid, show us what you’ve got’. Currently, he’s obviously one of the main figures in what Liverpool are delivering, or rather, not delivering. The moment may come when he says: ‘I don’t think this is the kind of football I envision’.”
Will Wirtz eventually come good for Liverpool?
While some signings simply don’t work out, it is ridiculously early to be writing off Wirtz, with the German still getting used to the pace and power of English football.
He is still so young and will only improve as the years pass, and he has been lauded for his brilliance by Liverpool teammate Federico Chiesa:
“One of the best players I’ve ever seen on the ball. The way he controls the ball, the way he touches the ball, it’s just world-class. Of course he has everything to be a success at Liverpool, there’s nothing holding him back. He came from another league. Hugo instead adapted quickly; [Florian] needs some time, that is normal. But the player is just amazing, from what I’ve seen.”
As mentioned, Liverpool need more from Wirtz, both in terms of physicality and his influence on matches, but this isn’t the time to be overly judging him, and he has every chance of becoming a superstar at Anfield.