Image for Liverpool star is unhappy at Anfield amid “selfishness” of teammate and other major issue
Image for Liverpool star is unhappy at Anfield amid “selfishness” of teammate and other major issue
Liverpool star Florian Wirtz is reportedly unhappy at the club currently, amid his struggles to match expectation levels, with a potential exit on the cards.
The 23-year-old is constantly under the spotlight at the moment, with his performances for the Reds not befitting of a £116m footballer with a massive reputation.
Far more is clearly needed from Wirtz, even though he is still having an impact on and off the ball, with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp offering his support during the international break:
“He learned a lot from his first year (with Liverpool). Now there is a new season under the leadership of a new coach, and I believe he has started every match. He is delivering a very good level physically, and the team has begun to regain its cohesion once again.”
“Attacking players always need a team that works well around them. And anyone who loves football can still see how outstanding Florian Wirtz is as a player.”
According to SportBILD [via Sport Witness], a “solution is needed” for Wirtz, following a tough 12 months or so, with Liverpool possibly considering selling him next summer if he doesn’t improve.
The German is said to be unhappy for several reasons, with Mohamed Salah’s apparent “selfishness” last season not going down well with him, and general dressing room unrest and “internal power struggles” also mentioned.
Will Florian Wirtz eventually come good for Liverpool?
As mentioned, it hasn’t been all bad with Wirtz at Liverpool – far from it – with Steven Gerrard saying how much he would have loved to play alongside him:
“Game by game he’s evolving, he’s improving. After a tough start, big price tag, a lot of pressure, big move for him. In terms of this kid’s technical level, it’s world class. He’s got the world at his feet. He’s so exciting to watch.
“In tight little areas his first touch is immaculate. His awareness of what’s around him is superb, he’s always looking to create goals, he’s always trying to get on the scoresheet as well. For me, I always watch players and think to myself: ‘Would I like to play with him?’. I would have loved to play with this kid.”
But there is no denying that Wirtz has to find further gears if he is to match the hype, and if his displays continue to be forgettable, it is easy to see him returning to Germany, and likely Bayern Munich.
That would be an enormous shame, considering what a special talent Wirtz is, and it is up to Andoni Iraola to get the very best out of him and make him the focal point of the team. Hopefully, any talk of unrest and a lack of togetherness within the squad is untrue.
There is allowed to be a middle ground where Wirtz can be criticised for not taking games by the scruff of the neck and being a match-winner, and also see that the balance of the team is making life hard for him.
If he has two flying in-form wingers either side of him, and a balanced double pivot in midfield behind him, there is every chance that we see a far better version of him at Liverpool moving forward.