Florian Wirtz has been a huge subject of debate since his £116million move to Liverpool last summer
Florian Wirtz.
A former Liverpool striker has defended Florian Wirtz(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Emile Heskey has disagreed with Jamie Carragher's take on Florian Wirtz, claiming the attacker's failures for Liverpool are a result of the team's set-up.
The former striker believes Wirtz's teammates are not on the same wavelength as him and that he should emulate the path of Philippe Coutinho in order to find success. This is a direct contrast to Carragher's feelings on the German as he slammed his poor form in the Premier League.
The ex-Red doesn't think Wirtz has a place in Andoni Iraola's team and claims the star isn't in poor form; rather, what we're seeing is what he is. Heskey spoke with Wettbasis.com about Wirtz and defended him against critics, including Carragher. He said: "It's been very tough for him (Florian Wirtz), coming from Germany.
"I've seen it several times where players have come from Germany, have done fantastically there and they come to the Premier League and it's a little different. Everyone thinks German football and English football is similar but the Premier League is a little bit different.
"He's found it tough. I like him a lot, I like his little touches and sometimes when he sees things, he sees them ahead of a lot of players. I'm looking at him and saying, 'wow'. But the players are not on the same wavelength as him."
Heskey pointed out Coutinho's success with Liverpool and believes Iraola can be to Wirtz what Klopp was to the Brazilian. He explained: "I did mention before, he probably should be looking at what Coutinho did. Him and Coutinho are similar in many aspects.
Tyler Adams and Alex Scott of Bournemouth with Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during the Premier League 2026/27 match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Bournemouth, England.
Wirtz's performances have left a lot to be desired(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
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"Coutinho managed to really get the best out of himself and Jurgen got the best out of Coutinho as well. And it goes to show because he went to Barcelona for how much millions? I think they've got to look at how do we get him on the ball in the right positions, facing forward and driving with the ball.
"He's got to drive with the ball a lot more and not just try to slide them balls in. He would do well with Isak but it'd just be one player. The others need to understand how to link with him. He's a link player, isn't he?
"He's not one who's going to bulldoze or dribble through 10-12 players. He's a link player who can take one on, slide a ball down. But you've got to be making runs for them."
With Wirtz heading off with the German national team for the international break, Heskey is adamant Klopp will get the best out of him and restore his confidence for the rest of the season. He added: "Jurgen Klopp was the manager to get the best out of Coutinho, and we all know what kind of manager he is and how everyone loves playing under him.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on August 23, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Heskey believes Wirtz can find form again(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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"He loves getting the best out of players, so it will be interesting seeing him for Germany and working with Florian Wirtz there. I think he will do very well. Didn’t he go to all the coaches in Germany and start working with them?
"He’s always looking at new ways of being the best. What he did after stepping down from Liverpool has never been done before, so now it will be interesting to see how he will do coming back.”
“If he can build his team around Wirtz and can get him in the right position, then he is the type of player who can see everything with his vision. You just don't go from one day to another from being this young superstar to being a terrible player.”
“He just needs the right manager, the right mindset and a bit of luck."
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