Didi Hamann and Frank Lebouef have both weighed in on Florian Wirtz's ongoing struggles at Liverpool
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Florian Wirtz of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Fulham at Anfield on September 12, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Didi Hamann has claimed Florian Wirtz no longer believes he can succeed at Liverpool following a difficult first season on Merseyside. The playmaker struggled to live up to his £125m price tag after signing from Bayer Leverkusen last summer as Arne Slot’s side fell dismally short of defending the Premier League title.
The 23-year-old returned seven goals and eight assists from 49 appearances in his first year in England as his performances were the subject of growing scrutiny both in England and back in his homeland.
And such noise has only increased following Germany’s poor showing at the 2026 World Cup and after Wirtz’s quiet start to the season back at Liverpool.
READ MORE: Liverpool have two options to replace Jeremy Jacquet as transfer possibility emerges
READ MORE: Jamie Carragher names Man City punishment after guilty verdict as Liverpool and Everton wait
The German has returned just one assist and no goals from six appearances under new head coach Andoni Iraola, though he did show signs of form while away with his national team under Jurgen Klopp during the expanded September/October international break.
And Hamann believes that Wirtz is not happy at Liverpool, suggesting his compatriot has lost confidence in being able to turn around his fortunes in England and maybe even regrets his move to the Premier League.
“I don’t know if he still believes he can make it,” the former Liverpool midfieldertold Sky Germany. “When I see him for Liverpool, I often get the impression that he’s not happy.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
“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.
“I think it’s good that he went or wanted to go to England. Because of course it is the league where the best players go and is probably the toughest league.
“He had played and that he wants to assert himself there, that appealed to me at first. In retrospect, would he do it again, maybe not.”
Florian Wirtz in action for Germany during the international break
Florian Wirtz in action for Germany during the international break (Image: Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Meanwhile, Chelsea legend Frank Lebouef insists Wirtz is running out of time to turn things around at the Reds.
Wirtz registered 16 goals and 15 assists from 45 appearances in his final season with Leverkusen, having returned 18 goals and 20 assists from 49 outings when Xabi Alonso’s side won a Bundesliga and German cup double in 2023/24 - with only a Europa League loss to Atalanta denying them an Invincibles treble season.
But having so far failed to replicate such form at Anfield, Lebouef dismissed suggestions that Wirtz could later come good in the Premier League like Kevin De Bruyne or Mohamed Salah as he insisted that the expectations on the player are so high that he has to start delivering now.
“The time that you have when you come to a club is going to be short, especially when you have a season, like Wirtz had before at Leverkusen,” the Frenchman said on ESPN FC. “The expectation is huge.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2: Liverpool FC Head Coach Andoni Iraola concentrates after the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field on August 2, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Liverpool's new head coach Andoni Iraola, pictured on the club's tour of the US(Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
“And I disagree [that Wirtz can be compared with De Bruyne when he arrived] because De Bruyne, and you can even name Mo Salah, when they came to England, they weren’t very known.
“So they played for Chelsea, it didn’t work, De Bruyne left. Mo Salah went to Roma, and it’s only after that that they became who they were, but there weren’t any expectations from those two players.
“When Wirtz came to Liverpool, that was THE player, that was €130m, and the guy was amazing, and it’s why you don’t wait too much and it’s already almost too late.”
Ensure our latest news and what's on headlines always appear at the top of your Google search by making us a preferred source. Click here to activate or add us as a preferred source in your Google search settings.