Liverpool continues to ponder what's next for Florian Wirtz, as the playmaker has once again failed to show the quality needed within the team to be a success at Anfield
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City
Florian Wirtz has continued to struggle in his time at Liverpool so far(Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))
It's gone from bad to worse for Florian Wirtz, as criticism continues to pile up against the Liverpool star, as he fails to show the quality needed for a player of his stature.
The Reds paid over $150 million to secure the playmaker from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, but his inability to create game-changing moments has been growing clearer with each passing game. While there was some patience given initially to the Germany international, who had to adjust to a new country, a new division, and a new way of working, that has slowly worn out as he settles in at Anfield.
With the second season now well underway, there are clear concerns that Wirtz will never live up to the price tag placed on him, with just the one assist to his name so far this campaign, and a lack of decisive actions on the pitch.
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The latest frustration came in Liverpool's defeat to Manchester City, where the 23-year-old didn't look up to the speed of the game, with several poor touches and passes breaking up the momentum the Reds had built up until the controversial red card.
With all eyes now firmly fixed on Wirtz, and how he could respond to yet another disappointment, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has been reflecting on his situation.
Speaking on BBC Sport, he clearly summed up the troubles for the star with a comparison that will frustrate the Reds, as he said: "I think he is a sensational, or he has a sensational, football brain. If you're playing a keep ball, then he would be first pick.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool runs with the ball under pressure from Rayan Cherki of Manchester City during the Premier League match
Florian Wirtz has endured a difficult start to life at Liverpool(Image: Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
"But then you look at him and you think what are his attributes? If you're talking about some of the great number tens of, you know, the last 15, 20 years, he's not really, I wouldn't call him a dribbler, I wouldn't see he is one who can necessarily go past players.
"So he's not like an Eden Hazard, he's not like a Coutinho who gets shots off. It's not like he runs beyond, he's not that type of ten. And because he's not the biggest, you know he's not a Tim Cahill, or a, who was the one with the hair at Everton? Fellani. He's not one of those.
"So his problem is what actually is he? He's just a really intelligent five-a-side player... But I'll stand by what I said, he's not a dribbler, he's not a Hazard. He's not someone who thumps it in from 20 yards, a Coutinho or a Rooney. So what is he?"
It perhaps sums up the troubles that Wirtz has at Liverpool so far, with both Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola unable to find the strength he has to maximize it.
It leaves the new head coach in a particularly awkward spot, as he looks to try and get more out of the playmaker, but without the time and patience that may be required to find a way to unlock him.
With some important games coming up, it remains to be seen whether the manager can find a way to get Wirtz firing once again, otherwise he faces some difficult decisions over the star in the near future.