Florian Wirtz arrived at Liverpool in the summer with the kind of excitement and spotlight that only comes with a £116 million transfer. He was one of the brightest young stars in Europe, a player who had lit up the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen and was being spoken about as the future of German football. Liverpool fans had been dreaming of his creativity, his technique, his vision. When he finally walked into the AXA Training Centre wearing the red of Liverpool, the excitement around Anfield was electric. But months later, the story has not gone quite as smoothly as many had expected. Wirtz, now 22, is still searching for his rhythm, and his first Premier League goal or assist remains elusive.
The pressure has been heavy. Liverpool as a team have not been at their best either. The champions have stumbled through a difficult run, losing three consecutive league games before the international break, and in a club like Liverpool, that kind of form always sparks debate. Fingers begin to point, questions begin to rise, and for a big-money signing like Wirtz, the scrutiny becomes relentless. Pundits on television, former players, and fans on social media have all been trying to find an answer to the same question: where should Florian Wirtz really play?
Arne Slot, Liverpool’s new manaer, has faced that question more than once this season. The Dutchman inherited a talented but transitional team. With Mohamed Salah gone and the attack being reshaped, Slot has been experimenting with different systems. In that shuffle, Wirtz has been tested in multiple positions — mainly as a number 10 behind the striker, but also on the left wing in a few games. It hasn’t always worked. His quiet performance in the loss to Crystal Palace, where he played out wide, sparked another wave of criticism.
Many observers argue that Slot is not using him properly. Some believe Wirtz should always play centrally, where his vision and passing can dictate the tempo. Others insist he’s more dangerous cutting in from the left, similar to how Philippe Coutinho once operated for Liverpool. The opinions are split, the debates endless. But in the middle of it all, Wirtz himself has finally spoken about where he feels most comfortable — and in doing so, he gave a small but emotional hint about how difficult the transition to English football has been for him.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Wirtz said something that stood out. He admitted that he’s still adapting to his new surroundings and described his situation as “a little sad,” not because he regrets joining Liverpool, but because he knows he hasn’t yet shown his true self. “I love playing football,” he said quietly, “but I know I can do more. I know what I can bring to the team. It’s just that sometimes, things take time.” Those words reveal the reality behind the statistics. For all the talk about tactics and formations, footballers are still human, and Wirtz is living through a huge change — a new league, a new country, a new rhythm of the game.
He went on to explain what he believes will help him finally find his best form. “I think my best position is in the middle,” he said. “When I play behind the striker, I can connect with everyone — the wingers, the midfielders, the striker. I can move around, create space, and help the team play faster. That’s when I feel most free.” It’s a simple statement but a powerful one. Wirtz is not asking for excuses or sympathy; he’s expressing a footballer’s truth. He needs to feel the game, to be in its heartbeat, not isolated on the wings.
Those who watched him at Bayer Leverkusen know exactly what he means. Under Xabi Alonso, Wirtz was the creative spark in a perfectly balanced system. He was not chained to a single position but was allowed to roam between lines, pick up spaces, and control attacks. He thrived on freedom and trust. That’s how he became one of the most feared playmakers in Europe. In England, things have been different. The tempo is faster, defenders are more physical, and the tactical demands are stricter. Adapting to that is no small task, especially for a player used to dictating the rhythm rather than chasing it.
Liverpool supporters have shown patience so far, but in a club where expectations are sky-high, patience can run thin quickly. Every game without a goal or assist adds to the noise. Yet those inside the club remain confident that Wirtz will come good. They’ve seen flashes in training — the touches, the movement, the creativity that made him a £116m signing. Reports from the AXA Training Centre say that even when the matches have been tough, Wirtz has been one of the hardest workers behind the scenes. Teammates speak about his calmness, his humility, and his determination to prove himself.
Arne Slot has defended him too. In one of his post-match press conferences, the manager said, “Florian is a special talent. Sometimes special players need time. He’s working hard every day, and we all know what he’s capable of. He will be very important for Liverpool.” Those words are more than just managerial support — they are a promise that Wirtz will eventually be at the centre of Liverpool’s creative system.
Still, the adjustment hasn’t been just tactical; it’s also emotional. In Germany, Wirtz was at home. He grew up in Cologne, developed in Leverkusen, spoke the language, and understood the rhythm of the Bundesliga. In England, everything is new — the weather, the intensity, the expectations. He has admitted that it’s been “lonely at times” trying to find comfort in a new environment. Yet he’s also shown maturity in accepting that this is part of his growth as a footballer and as a person.
“Sometimes it’s sad because you want to show your best and you feel like you are still searching,” he said. “But I know it’s part of the journey. I believe in myself and I believe in what we are building here. I just need time and confidence.” That sense of honesty is rare in modern football, where players are often guarded in interviews. Wirtz’s openness struck a chord with Liverpool fans who see in him not just a young player under pressure, but a genuine talent still trying to find his place.
The challenge for Arne Slot now is how to help Wirtz reach that comfort zone. Playing him at number 10 could be the key. When Wirtz is allowed to drift into spaces behind the striker, he becomes unpredictable. His quick passing and ability to thread through balls between defenders are his greatest weapons. But when he’s pushed wide, he’s forced to focus on tracking back and hugging the touchline, which limits his influence. Many pundits have pointed this out, calling for Slot to give him more freedom to roam.
It’s a delicate balance, especially as Liverpool try to rediscover their rhythm after three straight losses. The team itself is in transition — still adjusting to Slot’s methods after years of Jurgen Klopp’s high-octane football. The players are learning a new structure, and Wirtz, being new to the league, is learning both the system and the culture at the same time. It’s no wonder there have been growing pains.
Despite that, there are encouraging signs. During training, coaches have been impressed by how quickly Wirtz is learning to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League. He’s been focusing on improving his endurance and speed in tight spaces. Reports from Melwood say he often stays late after training sessions, working on finishing drills with the assistant coaches. It’s the kind of commitment Liverpool fans love — the hunger to improve.
Wirtz has also started to form connections with key players. His link-up play with Dominik Szoboszlai and Darwin Nunez has shown promise. When they combine, Liverpool’s attack starts to look alive again — fast, technical, dangerous. It might take time before the statistics reflect that progress, but it’s clear that the chemistry is building.
The young German has been in this situation before. At Leverkusen, his early months in the senior team were also full of pressure. He was only 17 then, trying to fill the shoes of Kai Havertz, who had just left for Chelsea. People doubted him back then too, but he responded with maturity and brilliance, becoming the creative heart of Alonso’s team. Liverpool fans are hoping history will repeat itself — that after the slow start will come the explosion.
For now, Wirtz’s focus remains simple. “I just want to help the team,” he told Sky Sports. “I don’t care if it’s a goal or an assist. I want to be part of winning again.” Those words show that despite the criticism, he’s not losing confidence. He knows what he can bring, and he believes that when everything clicks, Liverpool will see the real Florian Wirtz.
There is also something symbolic about his journey. He came to Liverpool not just as a signing, but as part of a new era. With Klopp gone and Slot beginning his project, Wirtz represents the club’s attempt to evolve without losing its soul. He’s not just another player — he’s meant to be a leader of this generation, a bridge between the old Liverpool and the new. That’s a huge responsibility for someone his age, but it’s one he’s ready to carry.
Liverpool fans, known for their deep loyalty and understanding of the game, are beginning to show patience again. Many remember how it took players like Fabinho, Robertson, and even Mohamed Salah time to fully settle into Klopp’s system. They know that greatness often takes time to grow. Social media might be loud, pundits might be harsh, but inside Anfield, there’s still faith.
The story of Florian Wirtz at Liverpool is still in its early chapters. He’s still learning the city, the stadium, and the league. He’s still adapting to the rain, the noise, and the pressure. But he’s also showing signs of resilience, of the quiet strength that defines great players. He knows where he wants to play, he knows what he needs to do, and he’s ready to fight to make it happen.
When asked about his future and how he sees his role evolving, Wirtz smiled. “I came here because Liverpool is special,” he said. “When I was a kid, I used to watch Anfield on TV and imagine what it would feel like to play there. Now I’m here, and even when it’s hard, I know I made the right choice. I want to give everything for this club. I just need to show who I really am.”
That kind of statement tells you everything about his mindset. It’s not arrogance; it’s conviction. Wirtz is not afraid of the challenge. He understands that every great Liverpool story starts with struggle — whether it was Gerrard carrying the team through heartbreaks, or Salah fighting back after critics doubted him. He knows that wearing the Liverpool shirt comes with pressure, but it also comes with pride.
And somewhere in the near future, when he finally scores his first Premier League goal, when he finally lifts his arms to the Kop and hears the roar of Anfield behind him, it will all make sense. The frustration, the doubts, the sadness — they will fade into the background, replaced by the joy that only football can give.
Until then, Florian Wirtz keeps working. He trains, he learns, he listens. He knows that success at Liverpool is never given — it’s earned. And deep down, he believes that soon, everyone will see the version of him that made Europe fall in love with his game.
He has already told Liverpool where he wants to play. Now, all that remains is for him to show the world why that position, that role, that freedom — is where Florian Wirtz truly belongs. And when that day comes, Anfield will witness the rise of a star who never stopped believing, even when it was hard. Because that’s what being a Liverpool player means. You don’t just play for the badge — you fight for it, until the story turns in your favor.
