The spotlight is still on Florian Wirtz after his struggles with Liverpool after a season and a bit at the club, with some work needed to transform his fortunes again
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))
Liverpool legend John Aldridge has warned Florian Wirtz that he must improve his form, with a blunt comparison between the Bundesliga and the Premier League, after another difficult start to the season for the playmaker.
It comes as the Germany international is under the spotlight once again, as his inability to positively impact the game has started to prove costly for the Reds.
With over $150 million spent last summer to sign him from Bayer Leverkusen, the 23-year-old is yet to show how he can make a real difference on the pitch when it matters, with criticism continuing to pile up. While allowances were given during the first season, due to the adjustment period needed to settle into life at Liverpool and in the Premier League, fast forward a year and the difficulties still remain.
The latest showing, which came in a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, simply underscored the concerns that many fans have about the number ten. With some poor touches, wayward passing, and a lack of conviction in creating a chance that would rip the opposition open, supporters left Anfield with yet more questions than answers about the signing.
For Liverpool legend Aldridge, the performance was poor, with a belief that Wirtz may be trying too hard to impact games, and looking worse as a result.
Writing in his column for the Liverpool Echo, he said: "Nothing went right for Florian Wirtz on Sunday. He was extremely poor compared to what we know he has got in his locker. He’s still not settled in, it’s taken over a year now. He’s playing for me like he’s got a weight on his shoulders. His first five or six passes went astray and it didn’t get much better.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC
Florian Wirtz continues to struggle for Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
"Maybe he’s trying too hard? He’s putting a shift in. He’s a better player than what he’s showing at the moment. Everyone knows that. He knows that the Press are on him and it’s hard. He’s trying to play through the pressure and it’s weighing him down at the moment.
"You could argue that he might need a rest out of the starting XI, but at this moment, the manager hasn’t got many options. Gravenberch had his best game for some time at the weekend. He’s out for Saturday, so he’ll obviously play him in the week against LASK. Alexis Mac Allister is doing okay. Maybe Iraola could bring Trey Nyoni or Wataru Endo in there to solidify things; it’s an option.
"He could bring Wirtz off the bench to win games late on. He’s underperforming right now and I think it’s the pressure that’s weighing him down. This isn’t the Bundesliga; it’s a tough league and has the best players in the world. He’s underperforming right now and he knows it.
"With the system that we’ve got, it’s hard to deploy him. He’s obviously listening to what people are saying, his confidence is battered and it’s hard for him. But it’s only he who can get it back on track. He just needs to relax because nothing’s coming off for him."
Whether that change could help Wirtz find his rhythm once again is unclear, but with mounting questions from the fanbase about his form, the feeling of underperformance is unlikely to go away any time soon.
Some important clashes in the Premier League, Champions League, and EFL Cup are coming up that could provide the stage for his revival. But for now, it's about building himself back up to those important performances once again.