Liverpool legends Robbie Fowler and Steven Gerrard have offered their verdict on Florian Wirtz, who has been criticized by a variety of pundits over the last few weeks
Robbie Fowler and Florian Wirtz.
Robbie Fowler and Florian Wirtz.(Image: Getty Images)
Robbie Fowler and Steven Gerrard are in agreement about Florian Wirtz's talent — and that much more is required from the 23-year-old German under Andoni Iraola.
Wirtz is yet to score for Liverpool this term and has been heavily criticized in some quarters, with Jamie Carragher calling for him to be taken out of the starting XI, but Iraola has either so far decided against doing that or been unable to do much else because of a lengthening injury list, including several attackers.
"I think he's a wonderful player," Fowler said while working as a pundit for ViaPlay last weekend. "I think he's one of them players who's clever. He can produce things.
"He's got something in the locker but as a player, you know, playing for Liverpool, you would probably want a bit more.
"When you don't reach the peak, and what we have seen of him, you know, what we have seen of him at Bayer Leverkusen, people are always asking questions, and that's what football is.
"But he is a good player. He's probably not at the heights that we want to see but you probably need to see him fighting a little bit over a longer period."
Liverpool attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.
Liverpool attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Fellow Reds legend Gerrard has a theory along similar lines, pointing out that Wirtz needs those around him to be performing better in order to show his best stuff.
"I think Wirtz's best position is number 10," Gerrard said on The Overlap. "I don't think he's got the speed to play out wide.
"If you go back to his Bayer Leverkusen days, his history is creating and scoring goals from that number 10 position, and a team being built around him and that type of player.
"I'm not sure this Liverpool team is set and ready for Florian Wirtz to come in and thrive. Maybe if they had Sadio Mane still and Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, maybe he would thrive more. I believe he would thrive more.
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"And if Liverpool can get Barcola firing, Alexander Isak firing, Victor Munoz, Hugo Ekitike, Rio Ngumoha, if he can get them all fit and available, I think he'll feel better because he'll have more forward runs in the team, he'll have better players around him."
Wirtz will have another chance to find some form midweek in the Champions League against LASK. The Reds then travel to Brentford on Saturday in the Premier League.
Liverpool.com says: Wirtz has to do more, and it is not just about the goals. He looks lightweight at the moment and hasn't been able to adjust to the intensity of the English game.
There is still time for him to turn things around, but there is pressure on his shoulders because of the price tag. Right now, he is lacking confidence — but that could yet change.