Liverpool legend Didi Hamann says Florian Wirtz may only have weeks to save his career at Anfield.
Speaking exclusively to Tribal Football, Hamann said that his fellow countryman has to “start the season well” or there could soon be many fans and pundits questioning his long-term future at Anfield:
“I think by the first international break, in mid-September, we’ll have a scenario where people will discuss, or maybe say, ‘Well, is it the right place for him?’ And obviously that’s what you don’t want if one of your star players, or the star player, cost so much money, that there are even more doubts about whether he’s going to succeed.
“So I think it’s a huge season for Wirtz, but he’s got to start the season well. I think if he doesn’t start the season well, I think that Wirtz topic, that Wirtz issue, could become very hot, very quickly.”
Wirtz is only 23
After spending £116m on one player, you do expect to see results, and supporters have been very patient with the midfielder since his arrival last summer.
It is definitely the case that some overseas signings take longer to adapt than others, and Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane has even predicted that Wirtz will come alive in his second season with Liverpool,
However, Hamann seems to think that the German international has to be on his game from the first game of the campaign, or there will be serious doubts about his future.
That seems pretty extreme, especially when you consider Wirtz’s age. He turned 23 in May, and he is younger than the likes of Harvey Elliot. Further patience may be needed with him.
Who do Liverpool play before the September international break?
Andoni Iraola‘s side have five Premier League games prior to the first round of international fixtures. They take on Newcastle at St James’ Park on the opening day before hosting Nottingham Forest at Anfield a week later.
The Reds then travel to newly-promoted Ipswich Town at the start of September, ahead of a match against Fulham at home 8 days later. On September 20th, Iraola returns to his old stomping ground for the match versus Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
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