EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City icon Paul Dickov has weighed into the ongoing ‘flop’ debate concerning Liverpool’s summer recruit Florian Wirtz.
It’s fair to say that the jury is very much still out on Liverpool’s mega bucks summer signing Florian Wirtz. The German international, 22, joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen for a then British transfer record of £114 million and many expected the talented playmaker to be the icing on Arne Slot’s cake, adding to the champions talent pool of world-class players.
But it hasn’t quite happened for him. That being said, it hasn’t really happened for any of Liverpool’s summer recruits after the champions have made a stuttering start to defending the title this season.
Wirtz has found some sympathy from former Manchester City striker Paul Dickov, explaining that the German international’s period of adjustment hasn’t been made easier by his underperforming teammates.
I feel for Wirtz
Speaking to Essential.Football on behalf of Best Betting Bonuses, Dickov said of the German’s start to his Anfield career:
“I feel a little bit for him. He came with a huge price tag. He’s obviously a talented player, we all know that. But he’s come into the team and sometimes when you move to a big club like Liverpool, you need your teammates around you to perform and to help you settle in a little bit.
“You look at Liverpool’s form, and the big players are struggling at the minute and it makes it even more difficult for somebody of Wirtz’ age (22). He is young, and even somebody so talented would struggle to come into this team and hit that ground running.”
Too many Liverpool players are underperforming
Dickov thinks that the German’s performances have been below par this season because several of his teammates are also underperforming.
He continued:
“At any point in any time in your career you’re going to have spells where things aren’t happening, and you look for your teammates to try and help you out a little bit. I don’t see that in Liverpool at the minute I just think there’s too many players that are underperforming for them. And it really does make it even more difficult for new signings coming in to settle as quickly as they would like.”
The Essential Football verdict
Wirtz is one of several Liverpool players who haven’t cut the mustard. It’s been a surprising start to the season from the champions, who will be looking to get their season back on track by picking up three points on Saturday against Nottingham Forest. We agree with Dickov that Wirtz has too much talent to write off as a flop signing and think it’s only a matter of time before the German maestro starts to deliver.