Florian Wirtz arrived at Liverpool in the summer of 2025 from Bayer Leverkusen in a high-profile move for a reported £116million.
Despite his stellar record in Germany, his start in the Premier League has been an underwhelming one.
Wirtz has yet to register a goal or assist in the league. This slow start has generated criticism and concern among pundits and supporters.
Nagelsmann steps in
Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has publicly defended Wirtz, placing his struggles into the wider context of the club’s instability and the player’s adaptation to a new league and environment.
“Liverpool could also help him out by scoring some of the chances he creates. They somehow don’t like to shoot the ball in,” Nagelsmann said.
He also added: “Even though he hasn’t scored any goals, he is still the player who creates the most chances in the Premier League.
“It’s not his fault if his team-mates don’t convert them, and the statistics don’t even tell the whole story.”
Nagelsmann emphasised that the club’s current situation makes it “much harder to slip into the team now” and that Wirtz “just needs a little more time, which is normal; you see that with other players who move to the Premier League too.”
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The bigger picture
Nagelsmann’s backing reminds us that the issue isn’t only about Wirtz’s individual performance but also the environment at Liverpool.
He referenced the team’s recent form and defensive issues, suggesting those factors are influencing Wirtz’s ability to shine.
Patience and support matter. There’s still time for Wirtz to find his rhythm.
As Nagelsmann stressed: “We all know what he’s capable of…We can’t expect him to perform at the same level for three years straight.”
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SportJustSport writers