When does the knot burst?
Goalless start in Liverpool: Florian Wirtz wants to “stay cool”
While a fantastic start of the season is successful, the start of the season is not yet round with newcomer Florian Wirtz. The first criticism arises. A German club icon encourages the national player.
Seven games, one template, no goal: Florian Wirtz has not yet been able to meet the high expectations of Liverpool FC. While his team was winning one victory after the other, one is now even heard in cautious criticism of the German international, who moved to England for the record amount of 125 million euros in the summer. But Wirtz, who was not in the squad in the Ligapokal victory against FC Southampton (2: 1), cannot be disturbed-which Liverpool legend Jürgen Klopp also recommends.
“Yes, of course I would have already wished that I had already scored a goal or had already collected a little scorer points,” said the 22-year-old in a Sky interview. “But no matter what anyone says, I stay cool.”
When Wirtz was signed with great laurels in summer, this was considered a step into a title -rich future in Angeld. British media were full of praise for the midfielder, who had a significant proportion of Bayer Leverkusen’s Double-win in 2024. But in Anfield, Wirtz, who only ended up in 29th place when choosing the Ballon d’Or, has not yet been able to show all of his quality.
“Florian Wirtz just doesn’t find his game at the moment,” summarized the tabloid newspaper “The Sun”. “Wirtz came from Bayer Leverkusen to crack dense defensive rows, but he is still waiting for the redeeming moment,” wrote the “Times” after Liverpool’s 2-1 victory against Everton, in which the newcomer had only been substituted after 60 minutes. “Although two massive degrees were blocked and he briefly fell, but also his passports were not always precise – let alone striking.”
On the offensive, Liverpool coach Arne Slot relyed on Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, who scored the first goal. “The Independent” then assumed that Slot has been standing in front of a dilemma since Wirtz ‘: “The German is a disruptive factor in a trio of title winners. He and Liverpool have to get used to each other.” After all, the Champions League match against Atlético Madrid (3: 2) gave rise to confidence.
Wirtz confidently: “Will come at some point”
“I know what I can do and I also know that at some point I really get it on the pitch,” said Wirtz confidently. “That’s why I’m just cool.”
The advice of staying cool was also found in a message from club icon Jürgen Klopp. The former Liverpool coach sent the Premier League newcomer to a few well-intentioned tips. Klopp is convinced that the fans Wirtz will give time.
“I don’t want to hear that all the time,” emphasized the highly agreed professional. “But I just try to try again every time again. And sometimes there are simply phases in which maybe not everything is going for you, I actually didn’t have that often in my career. If I have survived it (…), it will come at some point and then everything will be fine.”
Slot: “Don’t have to teach him how to play football”
The 22-year-old had previously admitted himself that he still had to get used to the intensity of English football. His trainer in Liverpool is convinced that Wirtz will soon show what he was brought out of Leverkusen in summer. “In my opinion, it adapts very well,” said Slot. “We don’t have to teach him how to play football. He just has to adapt to the level of intensity of the Premier League.”
This would be better with every game, emphasized the Dutch coach, who described Wirtz as “artist who can also be hard” and attested hard work. “He always wants to have the ball, even if there are a few moments when we feel that he could do it better. He just wants to keep the ball, always tries it. And he is getting better and fit.”
Nagelsmann’s demand to Wirtz: “Risk something”
The fact that Wirtz prevails in England would also be in the sense of national coach Julian Nagelsmann. After the German victory against Northern Ireland in the World Cup qualification, he sent his “most important offensive player” back to the island with a clear order. “He should try something, he should risk something,” said Nagelsmann. “It is important for him that the knot bursts in Liverpool. I hope that he scores a goal and once presents one.”
dpa
