EXCLUSIVE: Florian Wirtz has had a tough time since joining Liverpool in 2025, but former Arsenal striker Alan Smith feels he may not be too far away from turning things around
AUGSBURG, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 27: Florian Wirtz of Germany and teammates look dejected during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Germany and Greece at WWK Arena on September 27, 2026 in Augsburg, Germany. (Photo by Ralf Ibing - firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz has had a difficult start to the season(Image: Getty Images)
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith still feels Florian Wirtz could turn things around at Liverpool — but he will have to act quickly.
The 23-year-old has come under fire for a disappointing start to the current season, having endured a difficult first year following his record-breaking transfer from Bayer Leverkusen.
Wirtz has recorded just one assist in six appearances for the Reds so far this season, while his most recent performance in the 1-0 win over Bournemouth has opened up a debate on whether Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola should take him out of his line-up once his team returns from the international break.
The pressure will be on Wirtz to perform when the Reds return to action against Manchester City on October 11, especially with Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both potentially out injured.
Ex-Gunners star and Sky Sports pundit Smith has admitted to Liverpool.com, via BestBettingSites.co.uk, that he has been left confused by Wirtz’s struggles in the Premier League so far, but he feels he might not be too far away from turning things around.
“Yeah, it's a curious one, this, because a lot of players that come from the Bundesliga, it's not quite as good a league as the Premier League, but it's quite fast and physical, and they can normally adapt. He hasn't, for whatever reason,” Smith said.
Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz has struggled since joining Liverpool(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
“I mean, he was in a malfunctioning Liverpool team last season, which never helps. Now they're slowly getting things together. But obviously, confidence plays a big part.
“If he can score a couple and, you know, a couple of assists in a short space of time, we might see a different Florian Wirtz. But as things stand, it's a problem for Iraola as to what to do with him.”
Already, speculation has arisen that Wirtz could be on his way out of Anfield, with transfer rumors abound that Liverpool may look to offload him if he continues to underperform.
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A move to Bayern Munich has been touted, with the German giant having been in the running to sign Wirtz when Liverpool landed him last year, and one of the club’s chiefs — Karl-Heinz Rummenigge - hasn’t necessarily ruled out another move for him at some point.
"Whether something else could still be possible at some point? I don’t know,” Rummenigge told AZ.
“The question is whether Wirtz is happy at Liverpool. I can’t judge that. Uli [Hoeneß] and I were in contact with his father and mother for a while. Then they made a different decision, and we respected that.”