Florian Wirtz struggled to make an impact in his first season at Liverpool, but Steve McManaman is backing the Germany international to 'put a mark on the season' under Andoni Iraola.
Florian Wirtz in action against Ipswich on Friday
Florian Wirtz in action against Ipswich on Friday(Image: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz has been backed to flourish under Andoni Iraola at Liverpool this season by former Reds star Steve McManaman.
Wirtz struggled during a challenging debut campaign at Anfield last term following his big-money summer move from Bayer Leverkusen, as Arne Slot's side endured a poor finish before the manager's dismissal on May 30.
The Germany international netted seven goals and registered eight assists in his first season on Merseyside, but it proved a campaign to forget for the Reds, who suffered 20 defeats across all competitions and only secured the fifth Champions League place on the final day of the season.
Now working under Iraola following the Basque manager's appointment to replace Slot in early June, former England playmaker McManaman says Wirtz's approach appeals to him, while challenging the 23 year old to demonstrate his true capabilities at Liverpool, reports the Liverpool ECHO.
"In terms of who I'm most looking forward to seeing in a Liverpool shirt this season, at the moment it's the players we brought in last year," McManaman told Seven, powered by Ladbrokes.
"You know, I was really excited with the Florian Wirtz signing, and they've had a bit of bad fortune with the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni being out with a bad injury at such a young age.
"But it's people like Florian who I'm really looking forward to seeing more of. When he was in the Bundesliga with Leverkusen, I really enjoyed watching him; he's my style of player.
Liverpool attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.
Liverpool attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
"He does some lovely things on the ball, he just never did enough of them last year. I'm hoping that now he's coming into his second season in the Premier League, he'll really strengthen up.
"I don't necessarily mean physically, but just all-round, I'm hoping he'll get savvy to the Premier League, its strength and its intensity. I'd like to think he can put a mark on the season, because I love the way he plays football."
McManaman added: "I really liked Andoni Iraola before he came to Liverpool, to be honest. I've always liked his style of football and thought he did a brilliant job at Bournemouth - no one can argue that.
"He stepped down from that role and was speaking to Bayer Leverkusen and quite close to AC Milan for a while, so I think Liverpool felt if they were going to get him, this summer was the right time to make their move.
"You know, you don't like seeing a manager losing their job, as Arne Slot did, but if they thought Andoni was a step up, and that he'd give the club a new lease of life, playing a different style of football - a more attacking style which the fans demanded - then you'd have to say it was the right appointment."