Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images
Florian Wirtz has become a lightning rod for criticism at Liverpool this season after failing to fully spark into life under Andoni Iraola.
The £116m man has arguably been better during his second season than in his first at Anfield, but has notably been singled out by Jamie Carragher, who was frustrated by his performance during Liverpool‘s win over Bournemouth last Sunday. Others have piled in as well, making Wirtz one of the most scrutinised players in the world right now.
His Liverpool teammates know his quality, though, and while the noise continues from the outside about what the German could be doing better, Virgil van Dijk, Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez have all highlighted what Wirtz does which nobody in the Reds’ squad can beat.
Van Dijk and Szoboszlai hail Wirtz’s ability on the ball
Even at his worst, it is still clear that Wirtz is technically an excellent footballer. When the pressure is off and the cameras are away in training, this is probably when the 23-year-old can express himself the most, and it is clear that his teammates see it.
Van Dijk and Szoboszlai certainly do, with the captain naming Wirtz as the player with the best first touch when asked in a video for the Premier League’s official TikTok account.
“Has the best first touch? I would say Florian Wirtz. He has the best first touch. Simple as that,” Van Dijk smiled.
Szoboszlai was next to praise Liverpool’s underfire No. 7, claiming that he is the most skilful in the current squad.
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“Florian Wirtz is the most skilful on the ball. It’s natural you know?” he said. “Feeling the ball all the time. If I can pick someone I would pick him.”
Kerkez also shared his thoughts on Wirtz, naming the former Bayer Leverkusen star when asked who is the most likely to do a nutmeg on an opposition player.
“Will nutmeg an opponent? Florian Wirtz for sure, I give it to him,” said the left-back. “He always does nutmegs, even in training. He does it always.”
Alisson names Van Dijk as a future manager
Other Liverpool players took part in the video as well, with Alisson Becker’s answer for which of his teammates could be a future manager especially interesting.
“I think he doesn’t want to, but Virgil van Dijk could be a good manager,” said the goalkeeper. “His character I think, strong personality. Someone who knows the game, understands the game.”
“But you think he doesn’t want to?” asked the interviewer. “I don’t think he wants to be,” laughed Alisson.
Elsewhere, Alexander Isak named Jeremie Frimpong as the player most likely to come up with the best new celebration, while Frimpong went with Van Dijk as the one who will score a crucial goal.
“If we have a corner or a free-kick, the big man’s going to score,”