Florian Wirtz has been praised for an impressive Liverpool moment amid more comparisons to former Reds star Philippe Coutinho, who shone as a similar profile of player
Liverpool star Florian Wirtz during a Germany training session.
Liverpool star Florian Wirtz during a Germany training session.(Image: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz has been compared to the former Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho once again, with an ex-Reds man pointing out that he is not always getting the credit that he deserves.
Dean Saunders, who scored 25 goals for Liverpool in 61 appearances, believes that Andoni Iraola can get more out of Wirtz, who has been criticized at times this term. However, before that happens, the balance of the team needs to be right.
"When you have a player like Wirtz — a bit like Liverpool had with Coutinho — it's hard to be solid as a team," Saunders, who played 75 times for Wales, said.
"On the other hand, if you’re solid enough but you’re not creating chances, then you need a player like him.
"Liverpool were winning games 3-2 and 4-3 with Coutinho in the side. They were scoring loads but still letting goals in because they had another player who was ahead of the ball all the time.
"Wirtz is that same profile. But if he is going to be the spare man and be allowed to roam around the pitch, he has to start producing.
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Florian Wirtz and Jurgen Klopp after Greece vs Germany in the UEFA Nations League.
Florian Wirtz and Jurgen Klopp after Greece vs Germany in the UEFA Nations League.(Image: Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
"Playing number 10 is the golden ticket for a football player. You don’t have to run back or play with your back to goal and you don’t really have to score that many. However, you have to create chances.
"He is obviously a skillful, creative player, and he is normally involved in Liverpool’s best moves.
"One thing that went under the radar was him getting across the near post against Bournemouth for Alexander Isak’s goal.
"As a striker, I liked that. A lot of players don’t like getting in the six-yard box for fear of getting hurt, so that’s a good sign of his bravery. The danger with him is that he does look like a bit of a lightweight."
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Wirtz, who scored for Germany during the international break and also captained his country, will have another chance to impress for Liverpool against Manchester City this weekend.
"I think all Liverpool fans still really want him to do well," Saunders, speaking to BetSelect, continued.
"His attitude seems good and you can see he’s trying hard, but it’s getting to the point where he needs to start producing. The price tag means he needs to be scoring 15 and assisting 15 goals this season."
Liverpool.com says: Wirtz needs to be doing more but the criticism has been over the top. He is 23 and still getting used to a new league. A big few months lie ahead, but the talent is clearly there.