Former England midfielder Chris Waddle has been speaking about Liverpool and their £116m summer signing Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on November 9, 2025 in Manchester, England.
Florian Wirtz has yet to explode into life in the Premier League for Liverpool despite some excellent performances in Europe
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It comes with the territory, of course, being Premier League champions, and they are not helping themselves with a run of seven defeats in their last 10 matches in all competitions. But it does feel like open season on Liverpool, at this moment in time.
Pundits are lining up to have their say on what's going wrong at the Reds with head coach Arne Slot and individual players coming in for criticism. And one such player that certainly applies to is £116m summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen Florian Wirtz.
While he has impressed in the Champions League, the Germany midfielder has yet truly to translate that form to the Premier League and he endured another difficult afternoon, as did a number of his team-mates, in Sunday's 3-0 loss at Manchester City.
It was a loss that did much to dampen the mood after back-to-back wins and clean sheets against Aston Villa and Real Madrid had provided the squad's and fanbase's collective morale with a shot in the arm.
And before the match Arsenal's legendary former manager Arsene Wenger even went as far to say that the arrival of Wirtz had "destroyed" Liverpool's midfield - one of the cornerstones of which last season's emphatic title triumph was built on.
Slot was quick to dismiss Wenger's accusation and a playmaker from a different generation believes the Reds' problems are further back the field.
However, Chris Waddle reckons now is the time for the Dutchman to build his team around Wirtz.
The former England midfielder, who was a hero to Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Marseille and Sheffield Wednesday fans during his playing days, said: "I said at the start of the season that I didn't fancy Liverpool for the league because they can't defend properly.
"They do concede and it doesn't matter how good you are as a team - I think Liverpool do concede goals quite easily at times. So they didn't address that problem.
"They needed a centre-half, they needed a right-back too, really. They didn't address that. They spent their money on Florian Wirtz and two centre-forwards, who all cost a fortune.
"I think I can see why Arsene Wenger is saying that. The midfield was very strong last year. Energetic, capable of putting the foot in, box-to-box. They could make goals and score them.
"Obviously Wirtz has come on the market and he was sensational in Germany, and so they took a look at him. He was cruising in the Bundesliga, he ran most of the games and he was electric. But the Premier League is a different set of demands. It’s more physical, it drains the legs. It’s more demanding.
"On Sunday, Wirtz was on the left, and I think they need to be braver. Wirtz has to play off a striker as he did at Leverkusen. That’s where he was so good. Either you build the side around him or you conclude he’s not the right player to fit Liverpool’s approach, and it was a mistake to buy him.
"You need to ask if the Premier League is too quick or physical for him. I think their task for now is to work out how to get the best from him. But looking at his body language, he does not look confident at all.
"Of course, Wirtz has proved already that he’s quality, and we know he has ability and now the job for Arne Slot is to get the system right to fit him in. But even if and when he does that, the main concern for the team is their defensive weaknesses."
The defeat to Man City means the Reds head into the international eight points behind leaders Arsenal.
While it may be too early to rule them out of the title race, they will need to improve considerably after the return of domestic football.
And Waddle, speaking exclusively to shekicks.net, added: "Manchester City ran right through them at times, and I think this season has drained Liverpool already. They have Europe and the Premier League, and all their players have international duty. The players are a year older, and it’s not easy to stay fit, mentally and physically.
"Looking at Liverpool compared to City, City looked sharp, fresh and fit. (Jeremy) Doku was on fire, the movement was superb.
"Liverpool had a few moments, don’t get me wrong. But really City were on top and dominated, and it’s looking like it’s going to be a long season for Liverpool. I think the Premier League is beyond them this year with the way they play.
"But I would say, with the players they have, they might have a better shot at winning the Champions League, but it’s taking longer than we thought for Slot to get the best out of this collection of players."
The Reds return to action on November 22 at home to Nottingham Forest.