When Florian Wirtz arrived at Liverpool in the summer, he came with the weight of dreams and expectations on his shoulders. The £116 million move from Bayer Leverkusen was supposed to mark the beginning of a new era at Anfield. He was seen as the man to light up Arne Slot’s new attacking system, the one who would bring back the creative spark that once defined Liverpool’s midfield. But just a few months into his life in England, things have not gone as planned. The smile he carried on the day of his unveiling has slowly turned into questions, doubts, and pressure that now follows him every time he steps on the pitch.
At just 22, Wirtz already knows what it means to be under the spotlight in one of football’s toughest leagues. Against Chelsea last weekend, he started on the bench for the first time in his Liverpool career. It was a decision that shocked many fans but also showed that Slot is desperate to change something. Liverpool had lost their rhythm, and the German playmaker, once called the jewel of Leverkusen, was struggling to find his place. When he finally came on at half-time, Liverpool were already 1-0 down after a Moises Caicedo strike. Yet in those opening minutes of the second half, you could see a glimpse of his genius. He flicked the ball beautifully into the path of Mohamed Salah, but the Egyptian’s shot went wide. It was a move that reminded everyone of what Wirtz could be.
Still, the end result told a different story. Liverpool equalized through Cody Gakpo, but in stoppage time, Estevao scored for Chelsea, leaving Slot’s men beaten for the third match in a row. Arsenal took over top spot, and Liverpool fans left Stamford Bridge wondering where it was all going wrong. And among all the questions stood Florian Wirtz — still searching for his first Premier League goal or assist.
The “007” jokes have already started online. Seven games, zero goals, zero assists — the kind of cruel meme culture that eats into a player’s confidence. For a young player in a new country, it can be damaging. Wirtz does have one assist, from his debut in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace, but in the Premier League, his record remains empty. The critics have started to whisper louder. Some question his price tag, others his readiness for the Premier League. But behind all the noise, his teammates and former mentors believe time will reveal his true worth.
The October international break could not have come at a better time. As Liverpool’s form faltered, Germany called him up again, and that alone was enough to lift his spirits. Wirtz walked into training with a smile when he joined the national team this week. For him, Germany feels like home — a place where he is understood and trusted. He knows the rhythm there, the language, the system. And maybe a little break from the English chaos could help him find his rhythm again.
He scored his only goal of the season so far during the last international break, a stunning free-kick against Northern Ireland. But even that came after criticism in Germany following their 2-0 defeat to Slovakia in September. Many fans questioned whether the Liverpool move had distracted him or whether the pressure of a record transfer fee was affecting his performance. But after that storm, something changed. One by one, German football legends came out to defend him.
Rudi Völler, Germany’s sporting director and one of the most respected voices in German football, spoke openly about Wirtz’s struggles and why people should be patient. “The big difference is that at Leverkusen, even though they had other great players like Xhaka, Grimaldo, or Andrich, everyone always looked for Florian,” he said. “He was the chief, even as a young guy. Every time he asked for the ball, he got it. At Liverpool, it’s different. He’s not being played to in the same way yet. It takes time to build that understanding.”
Völler has watched Liverpool’s games carefully. He knows that the English league is faster, more physical, and demands instant adaptation. But he also knows Wirtz is not the type to give up. “He’s not one of those divas who sulk when they don’t get the ball,” Völler continued. “Florian works hard, he runs, he presses, and he gives everything. He’ll find his place, I’m sure of it. He’s not just talented; he has a great heart and attitude. It’s only a matter of time before he shows it.”
It’s not the first time Völler has defended him. Earlier in the month, he told German outlet BILD, “Florian will show the English what he’s made of. These are just normal adjustment problems. Every player who moves abroad goes through them. But he’ll make the breakthrough. I have no doubt.”
That confidence has been echoed by other legends. Bastian Schweinsteiger, one of Germany’s greatest midfielders, spoke about how transitions can be difficult. “We have to give players time,” he said. “Moving from the Bundesliga to the Premier League takes adjustment. I went through it myself.” Schweinsteiger joined Manchester United in 2015 and struggled to adapt to the English game before being sidelined by José Mourinho. He knows the emotional weight of such moments, and that is why he speaks softly when he talks about Wirtz. “He will delight us all. He’s a fantastic footballer with a great character. Germany should be proud to have him.”
Then there is Lothar Matthäus, the 1990 World Cup winner and another legend of the German game. He too believes Wirtz’s struggles are just a matter of time. “It’s normal after a big move abroad,” he told Sky Germany. “He’s a superb player, and he’ll get used to the Premier League. I felt the same when I moved to Inter Milan. There’s pressure, media attention, and expectations, but once you adjust, you shine. Florian will too.”
Even Michael Ballack, another Bayer Leverkusen graduate who later made his mark at Chelsea, understands the situation better than most. Ballack knows what it’s like to carry the hopes of a nation in a new environment. “There’s a lot of competition at Liverpool,” Ballack said. “The expectations on Florian are high — both from fans and from himself. At Leverkusen, everyone played for him. He got every ball. At Liverpool, it’s different. There are many stars, and he’s still finding his way. But he’s too talented to fail. This move will only make him stronger.”
And as if that wasn’t enough support, Philipp Lahm — the calm and respected former Germany captain — also spoke up. “I’m not worried about him at all,” Lahm said. “He’s an outstanding player who makes everyone around him better. Quality and class always prevail, and that will absolutely be the case with Florian Wirtz.”
Those words have given hope to many Liverpool fans who have already seen flashes of Wirtz’s brilliance even if his stats don’t yet show it. His quick turns, vision, and one-touch passing remind many of the early days of Coutinho or even a young Thiago. The problem isn’t ability; it’s rhythm and chemistry. Liverpool’s midfield is still a work in progress under Arne Slot. The Dutch manager is still figuring out how to balance creativity and control. In that chaos, Wirtz’s natural flow has been hard to express.
Inside the dressing room, players have noticed his dedication. He’s quiet, respectful, and focused. Reports from Kirkby suggest that he spends extra hours after training sessions working on his finishing and link-up play. Slot has praised his attitude privately, even though he hasn’t said much publicly. For Wirtz, every minute counts — every touch, every pass, every chance. He knows he was bought to make a difference, and he’s desperate to prove it.
At Leverkusen, Wirtz was the heartbeat of Xabi Alonso’s system. Every attack went through him. The ball found him even when he was surrounded by defenders. His teammates trusted him blindly. At Liverpool, however, there are more voices — Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Diaz — all talented players who also want to express themselves. Finding balance in such an environment takes time.
Still, fans have not lost faith completely. Many remember how other foreign stars took time to settle in England — players like Kevin De Bruyne, Kai Havertz, even Mohamed Salah himself before becoming a legend. Liverpool supporters have seen enough to know that patience often brings reward.
The next two weeks with Germany could be the turning point. Against Luxembourg and Northern Ireland, Wirtz has the chance to regain confidence and rhythm. He thrives under the national team’s setup, where he’s given more freedom to roam and create. Rudi Völler and Julian Nagelsmann are both determined to help him rebuild his form. “He will deliver two wonderful games,” Völler promised. “He just needs belief.”
Back in England, newspapers and pundits have filled the headlines with questions. Some have even called his start a “disaster.” Gary Neville criticized Liverpool’s midfield balance, while Alan Shearer claimed that Wirtz’s problem is not ability but adaptation. Others, like Owen Hargreaves, have urged Slot to build the team more around him. But even in all this noise, there’s a sense of quiet optimism — a belief that once Wirtz scores his first goal, the floodgates will open.
It’s not easy to move from being the main man in Germany to just another piece in a new puzzle in England. The pace, the pressure, the constant media glare — it all takes a toll. But what stands out about Wirtz is his humility. He doesn’t complain, doesn’t show frustration publicly. Instead, he keeps his head down and works. And that’s why so many greats have come out to defend him. They see themselves in him — a young man with the courage to chase greatness beyond his comfort zone.
Sometimes footballers need one big moment to change everything. A goal, an assist, a comeback — something that reignites the fire. Maybe that moment will come in the next Germany game, or maybe it will come in his first match back at Anfield. What’s certain is that Wirtz’s story at Liverpool is just beginning.
Liverpool fans have seen this movie before. Players who start slow often end up becoming icons. Salah, Mane, even Firmino had to adjust before they found their rhythm. The pressure at Anfield is unique, but so is the love. Once you win the fans’ hearts, they stand with you forever. Wirtz knows that. And maybe that’s why, despite the criticism, he still walks onto the pitch smiling — because deep down, he believes his time will come.
For now, all eyes are on the international break. In Germany, he will be surrounded by familiar faces, speaking his language, playing his natural game. If he shines there, maybe he returns to Liverpool with confidence and rhythm. Maybe that’s all he needs — just one spark. Because when talent meets belief, magic happens.
For Arne Slot and Liverpool, the hope is that this October marks the beginning of a turnaround — not only for the team but for their most expensive signing too. Wirtz’s story at Anfield is not one of failure; it’s one of patience, growth, and faith. The pressure is real, the expectations heavy, but he has something rare — the backing of legends, the faith of his homeland, and the determination of a player who refuses to be broken.
Football has a strange way of testing those who are destined for greatness. Sometimes the start is rocky so that the rise can be more beautiful. Florian Wirtz might not be flying yet, but when he does, everyone will remember this slow beginning — not as a failure, but as the foundation of a great story. Because in football, as Philipp Lahm said, quality and class always find a way to prevail. And in time, so will Florian Wirtz.
