Question marks continue to surround Florian Wirtz as the playmaker looks to kick on in his Liverpool career, following a difficult start to life with the club over the past year
Florian Wirtz of Germany gives instructions to his team during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Greece and Germany
Florian Wirtz doubts have emerged at Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images))
Former Liverpool man Didi Hamann has placed doubts about whether Florian Wirtz can truly hit the heights at Anfield, over one year on from his switch to Merseyside.
It continues a debate swirling around the playmaker, who has struggled to show the sort of form that warranted a fee worth over $150 million.
There was some patience shown last season with Wirtz, who was adjusting to life in the Premier League, his new personal life in England, and a challenging environment he walked into with the Reds. However, a slow start this season has seen the Germany international pick up just one assist across six appearances in all competitions so far, failing to truly decide games with his own input.
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That has led to two contrasting views on where Wirtz is currently at with Liverpool. On one side are those who have serious doubts about his ability to step up for the club when it really matters, having failed to see much more than glimpses of that over the course of a season and a bit so far.
Then there's the other side, who believe that patience could be key, while pointing out that he contributes more than just goals and assists. Coaches and players particularly fall on this side of the discussion, with both Andoni Iraola and Jurgen Klopp defending the star in recent weeks.
A positive international break with Germany, where he captained the side, has certainly set the foundations of a run of form, but there are still concerns that it may not be enough.
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Florian Wirtz of Germany looks on during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Greece and Germany
Florian Wirtz was named Germany captain for the match with Greece(Image: (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images))
That is certainly the view of former Liverpool man Hamann, who spoke to Sky Germany about Wirtz's chances at Liverpool. He claimed: "I don’t know if he still believes he can make it. When I see him for Liverpool, I often get the impression that he’s not happy.
"That’s a player who has joy; you see that with every action and say he’s just doing it. He plays like a child used to on the field; he just enjoys playing football. And I haven’t seen that in him for months, and I don’t know if he still has this belief to say, I will prevail.
“Because of course, with every game, with every week, the criticism gets bigger, and the belief or this thinking that he says, no, I’ll get my way, might be a little less. I don’t know if he still has that. For me, he doesn’t make that impression at the moment.”
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It remains to be seen whether Iraola can help instil that sense of freedom again in Wirtz on the club scene, having struggled to do so in his time at Anfield so far.
There are matches coming up that will certainly test the playmaker's ability, with Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea all waiting in the next few weeks, but it could give him the perfect chance to rise to the occasion.
There is still time, and some hope, that Wirtz can hit the heights at Liverpool. But that time and patience among some onlookers is running out, with the star needing to show his ability sooner rather than later.