McManaman hopes Wirtz adapts to Premier League and thrives under Iraola

According to the Liverpool Echo, McManaman said on the show that he hopes Wirtz will have a breakout season under Iraola.

After his high-profile move from Leverkusen last summer, Wirtz's debut season at Liverpool did not go smoothly. Slot's tenure ended in difficulty before his departure, and the manager was replaced on May 30. Wirtz scored 7 goals and provided 8 assists for Liverpool last season, but it was a forgettable campaign for the Reds: the team lost 20 games across all competitions and secured a top-four finish only on the final day of the season to qualify for the Champions League.

Now, with Basque coach Iraola replacing Slot in early June, Wirtz is playing under new management. Former England midfielder McManaman believes Wirtz's style of play is excellent and has urged the 23-year-old to showcase his true quality at Liverpool.

McManaman said: "To be honest, I was very excited when Wirtz joined, but young players like Ekitike, Isak, and Giovanni Leone all suffered serious injuries. But the person I'm most looking forward to seeing more from is someone like Wirtz."

"When he was at Leverkusen, I really enjoyed watching him play; he's a player I like. He had some beautiful moments, but he didn't do it enough last season. I hope he can really step up now in his second season in the Premier League."

"I'm not just talking about physicality, but overall, I hope he can adapt better to the Premier League—to the power and pace here. I'm willing to believe he can make an impact this season because I love his style of play so much."

McManaman added: "Honestly, I admired Iraola before he came to Liverpool. I've always respected his football philosophy and thought he did an excellent job at Bournemouth. He left that position at the time, was linked with Leverkusen for a while, and almost joined AC Milan, so I think if Liverpool wanted to sign him, this summer was the best time to act.

Of course, no one wants to see a manager depart, and that's the case with Slot, but if the club believes Iraola is a better fit and can bring fresh energy and a different style—a more attacking football that meets the fans' demands—then this appointment can only be justified."

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