CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Andoni Iraola has spoken of his appreciation for Florian Wirtz, but says the German can reach new heights at Liverpool by improving a key aspect of his game.
The 23-year-old had an adequate first season for the Reds, but he rarely came close to resembling a £116 million footballer.
It’s now time for Wirtz to go through the gears at Liverpool, hopefully aided by Iraola’s arrival and a more attractive brand of football.
Speaking to Men In Blazers, the Spaniard heaped praise on the Reds’ No. 7 for his football brain, but urged him to improve the more spontaneous side to his play.
“Florian understands the game very well, on the ball and without the ball,” Iraola said.
“He understands the spaces that he has to take, who is covering him, how he has to move, how to damage the opposition.
“Sometimes, he gets too attracted to the ball because he wants to be involved and touch the ball all the time.
“Sometimes, I have to tell him to leave some distance, wait, be a little bit more patient so the game arrives to you, and then you can hurt the opposition.
“But I think he loves the game. He asks the correct questions and you can feel it straight away.”
Time for Florian Wirtz to match the hype at Liverpool
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Many highly-rated foreign players have struggled in their first year in the Premier League, so there is no need for an overreaction with Wirtz.
But it is undeniable that he underwhelmed by his standards last season, not often looking like one of the best attacking players in world football.
But Wirtz was playing in a struggling team with a lack of pace around him, and like so many, Arne Slot failed to get the best out of him.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz scores the second goal during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz scores the second goal during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The hope is that Iraola is the man to unlock him, and his on-pitch chemistry with Alexander Isak during the summer was promising, as he finished top scorer in pre-season with two goals.
Wirtz has also been gifted the chance to work alongside Jurgen Klopp with Germany at international level, which can only bode well for Liverpool.
The Reds need their second-most expensive signing in history to excel in 2026/27 – if he hasn’t by the time May arrives, bigger questions will be asked.
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool FC v Wrexham AFC
NEW YORK, USA - Wednesday, July 29, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola on the pitch before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Wrexham AFC at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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Football – Pre-Season Friendly – Liverpool FC v Como 1907
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremy Jacquet during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)