Florian Wirtz has struggled to make an impact at Liverpool since his British record move
Liverpool's £116m signing Florian Wirtz has endured a rocky start to his career at Anfield, failing to score or assist in the Premier League since his move from Bayer Leverkusen. The German international has even been benched for recent matches against Everton and Chelsea.
The 22-year-old is under increasing scrutiny as a result, despite several German football legends coming to his defence amid criticism in England. His transfer fee, which was a potential British record before Liverpool's £125m acquisition of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United on transfer deadline day, has inevitably drawn him further significant attention - which has only increased the longer his slow start continued.
However, ex-Arsenal and Chelsea player Emmanuel Petit has voiced his opinion that Wirtz isn't worth the hefty price tag Liverpool paid. He believes that given Wirtz's shaky start at Anfield, the midfielder would likely agree.
"The Premier League is a different challenge to the Bundesliga," the World Cup winner said when speaking to Boyle Sports "Leverkusen often counter-attacked, giving him space to perform. Liverpool dominate opponents, so the tactics are different.
"Florian Wirtz is coming to a new culture and environment with significant pressure. Honestly, I don't believe he's worth the transfer fee, despite the respect I have for him as a player.
"I understand it will take time for him to adapt his style to the Premier League. He's talented, so I believe he will succeed, but he'll need more games and a better understanding with his teammates.
"The Premier League is not the Bundesliga, and Liverpool plays differently than Leverkusen."
Speaking last month, Liverpool boss Arne Slot claimed Wirtz has a darker side on the pitch that can help him thrive in the Premier League. He said: “To say that he’s an artist doesn’t do him justice.
“He is an artist, but he can be mean as well. Otherwise, you can’t reach the levels he’s reaching. He works incredibly hard here in this building to get better and better and better.
"So that mentality he has inside of him and you also see that mentality when he loses the ball once or twice. He’s not going to hide, he wants the third one, he wants the fourth one.”
Before he added: “He’s adjusting, in my opinion, very well. It gets better and better every single game. He always wants to have the ball, even if he has a few moments where we feel like he could do better.
"He just always wants to keep the ball, always keeps on trying. And he gets better and better, and fitter and fitter. That’s maybe the thing that matters most, because we don’t have to teach him how to play football. He just has to adapt to the intensity levels of the Premier League.”
saybklptz
0
tomorrow match against United, let Slot starts with these perfect Players . we're going to win united if this line up is implemented. am Liverpool fan in Africa( South Sudan)
saybklptz
2
the only problem that makes our No. 7 Florian Wirtz and Our No. 9 Alexander Isak not to scored goal is because our wingers are very selfish M.Salah and Gokpo
Woebeostyz
0
me too
Abuela
1
True talk, he doesn't worth that much, klopp wouldn't have agreed to that business if he was still in charge...
puocmortz
1
The coach should give him time to adapt while Writz should take it easy for now until you adapt, he tries so many things at a time
seudirst
1
succeed in Hull city
Kekinpsy
1
they must leave him alone why always him that's nonsense give him time and the big problem is cause by the COACH why he change the tactics before the team becomes intact
Kekinpsy
1
dont expect one player to make impact whilst the whole team is down the performance
AbdulZaks008
1
🚨Some of the Premier League's biggest stars started their career with 007 ❌😶 7 appearance 0 g/a We wouldn't worry just yet, Florian Writz fans 😅 🚨 Cristiano Ronaldo 🚨 Thierry Henry 🚨 Steven Gerrard 🚨 Raheem Sterling 🚨 Ian Rush 🚨 Roberto Firmino 🚨 Florian Wirtz*
AbdulZaks008
0
He's a flop already 009 and still counting
The season have a long way to end
PrinceAbobyBlinkz
1
He's a flop already 009 and still counting
AFeroiRt3214
0
He just needs to have time to adapt at Liverpool
suaaekpu
1
Petit, how about Gyokeres? Tell what a number 9 looks like.
Svenalmiti
1
I am a Chelsea fan, and I am in support of what you are saying. Our Enzo Fernández and Moise Caicedo had a poor start at CFC
Famcdntz
4
English league was rewarded for what they have been doing to others. Use media to hype and package an average player and sold at high price to other leagues😎. Secondly, if that Wirtz happened to be Manchester United player,media hell would have been let loose.
LilMoneyMoneyMaker
1
🤷♂️I'm still wondering why they're still doubting Wirtz's form that he's not good enough for Liverpool,everything has a time to shine,and it's just a beginning of him to be adapting to Liverpool team,just take a look at Mbappe first season at Real Madrid but now was he not the one carrying Real Madrid on his shoulder,so Wirtz still has more time to adapt into Liverpool team😇
Redevil07
2
Not just Wirtz but every player that is valued above 100 millions are not worth even if they are all fantastic except CR07 and LM10 because they have had sustained success for long period with utmost professionalism.
Bopacdeu
1
Cofirmed..he'll succeed