Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, gives instructions to Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on October 19, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)placeholder image
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, gives instructions to Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on October 19, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Florian Wirtz has come in for criticism from all quarters since signing for Liverpool, but has the playmaker finally turned a corner?
One of the fundamental differences with the Premier League is how physical it is compared to other leagues in Europe, not just in terms of aggression, but in terms of pace and energy.
The list of names of talented players who have failed to adapt to life in England’s top flight is a long one whilst it is just as easy to point at names like Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne for players who flopped the first time around to then be mentioned in the conversation for being in the all-time Premier League XI. Alexander Isak’s struggles don’t make much sense other than his disrupted preparations for the season, however, is Florian Wirtz starting to turn the corner as reports of a move to Real Madrid circle?
Arne Slot starting to see the best of Florian Wirtz for Liverpool
The Germany international had played well over 200 senior games before arriving at Anfield, despite only being 22 when he put pen to paper on his £116m move, he is every bit as experienced as a player several years older. He also has 37 caps for Germany to his name, a number that any professional player would be happy to retire with never mind whilst they were still eligible for Under-21 football. Fans of other clubs might have taken note of Wirtz lack of goals, but those who are watching him play week in, week out, know that there is a good player there.
Andy Jones, speaking on The Athletic’s Walk On podcast, reckons that he has seen something different from the 22-year old playmaker in recent weeks with one moment in particular against Brighton lending cause for optimism: “But I think that another thing is we're beginning to see him be more impactful off the ball as well. And I think that's massively helping things. I think I'm right in saying the counter-attack, I might be wrong, I might be misremembering, but I think the counter-attack which leads to the corner, which leads to Ekitike's goal starts because Wirtz sort of wins a bit of a 50-50 with Van Hecke to win the ball back, a bit of a shoulder charge.
“And it feels like two months ago, he either wouldn't have even gone in for the challenge or he would have lost it. But he wins the ball back and then sets Liverpool on the way, whether it was that chance or another one, but it was the same principle of him winning the ball back, which is really good to see. And I think now as well being on the left and sort of central on the left a lot, that's where he does best stuff for Leverkusen. That's where he excelled. That's where he became one of the most exciting young players in Europe from being in that position, being able to drift in and sort of go where he wants.”
Patience is a virtue for Wirtz
Arne Slot is starting to get rewarded for his patience with Wirtz. With Isak struggling for form and fitness, the last thing he would have needed is his other £100m+ signing sitting on the bench too. The Reds boss has tried several different systems or tactical tweaks to get the best out of the Germany international and, as Jones says, allowing him to drift between the lines is having the desired effect. The player himself is reported to be disappointed with his current form which is a good sign too when his overall play has been more than acceptable.
The festive fixture list isn’t as hectic as it normally is, and Liverpool have a very winnable run of fixtures. A 10-point gap is a lot to make up in the title race although a win against Arsenal and the outlook changes considerably. Slot’s decision to make his team harder to beat and to protect the defence hasn’t just reduced the number of chances that his side are conceding, it has allowed Wirtz more freedom. With this confidence, and the right attitude, he is showing that he shouldn’t be written off, just yet.
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