Florian WIrtz is coming under heavy fire amid more disappointing performances at Liverpool, but the 23-year-old is still being backed to take the Premier League by storm
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) l0 arriving before the Premier League 2026/27 match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz continues to struggle at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool has been reassured that Florian Wirtz can still take the club to “another level”, despite the ongoing criticism surrounding his performances.
Wirtz has struggled to make a true impact since joining the Reds in what was a record-breaking transfer from Bayer Leverkusen last year. The German international scored seven goals and recorded nine assists in a disappointing first campaign at Anfield, and he hasn’t yet kicked on this season.
He has just one assist from his six appearances in all competitions so far, and his latest performance has seen the debate around his position in Andoni Iraola’s team intensify.
Wirtz has been roundly criticized by pundits for his display in the 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Sunday, with Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher even going as far as to call for him to be dropped when the Reds return from the international break next month.
It has been a disappointing start for a player who had arrived on Merseyside to great fanfare, having played such an integral role in Leverkusen’s unbeaten domestic double in 2024, and courted interest from Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
Former USMNT star Kasey Keller though still feels Wirtz has what it takes to be a success at Anfield, having watched him regularly during his time in the Bundesliga.
Florian Wirtz challenges Evanilson
Florian Wirtz received a scathing review of his performance against Bournemouth(Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
“I think Wirtz needs to take his game to the next level, and I think they need to figure out some stuff defensively,” the ex-Tottenham and Leicester goalkeeper told Casinostugan.
“Because Liverpool conceded 53 goals last season, the most they ever had. You can't win a league by conceding so many goals.”
Giving his thoughts on Wirtz’s contemporaries, Keller added: “Who are the number 10s now? It's almost like the game isn't particularly playing with number 10s.
“I think right now we're actually looking at a Premier League that doesn't necessarily have that true playmaker. It's kind of like responsibilities are shared across the board.
Florian Wirtz of Leverkusen celebrates after scoringhis teams first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AC Sparta Praha at BayArena on January 29, 2025 in Leverkusen, Germany.
Florian Wirtz was a major part of Bayer Leverkusen's success(Image: Jörg Schüler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Images)
“I think some of those traditional roles have kind of gone away, and so it'll be interesting to see how Enzo [Fernandez] kind of does at Man City. Cole Palmer, after not making the England squad, can he under Xabi Alonso take that next step forward in that role?
“If you watched Florian Wirtz like I did while covering Bundesliga, I think there's no question that he could be that guy for Liverpool that takes stuff to another level.
“Even at Arsenal, I feel like this is a lot closer to a George Graham Arsenal than an Arsene Wenger Arsenal. It's defense first, let's be stable. Yes, they have players that can get a goal or two, but let's make sure we keep stuff tight defensively first.”
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Wirtz will now head on international duty, when he’ll be hoping to pick up some form under former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
The Anfield legend has named Wirtz in his squad for Germany’s final two games during the international break, and has come out in defense of the 23-year-old amid the recent criticism of his performances.
"We have to move away from the idea that we need to see special moments from him,” Klopp said. “He is there to help us as a team. We have to make sure that Flo feels comfortable with us.
"When the team works, then every player shines as a consequence. You have to be satisfied with a game in which Flo Wirtz gave everything but didn't have a goal or assist.”