Wirtz Struggles at Liverpool Draw Pogba Comparisons
Wirtz Struggles at Liverpool Draw Pogba Comparisons
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Key Points
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Wirtz has recorded five Premier League goals and five assists since joining Liverpool, with only one goal involvement coming in the current season—figures the criticism describes as insufficient for a $155 million player.
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Vladimir Smicer said Wirtz may have been unlucky because teammates failed to finish some of his passes, arguing that those chances would otherwise have become assists: “He has more inside him.”
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Wirtz’s adjustment has also involved adapting to Andoni Iraola’s demanding, high-pressure style after Liverpool’s disappointing previous campaign ended with a fifth-place finish.
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Although Wirtz was rested for Liverpool’s midweek Carabao Cup win over Tottenham, the match highlighted competition for midfield places: Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai scored, while James McConnell impressed and earned praise from Szoboszlai.
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Before moving to Liverpool, Wirtz produced 10 goals and 13 assists in the Bundesliga during the 2024/25 season, underscoring the contrast between his previous domestic output and his early Premier League contribution.
Florian Wirtz is facing mounting pressure at Liverpool after failing to justify his club-record £116 million transfer from Bayer Leverkusen. The 23-year-old German midfielder has recorded just five Premier League goals and five assists since joining, with only one goal involvement this season—a stark contrast to his 10 goals and 13 assists in the Bundesliga last year TeamTalk.
Critic Jamie Carragher recently called for manager Andoni Iraola to make a "tough decision" on Wirtz after a poor pass against Bournemouth, highlighting concerns about his decision-making and physicality in England's top flight Kansas.com. Yet Liverpool insists the midfielder remains central to its plans, reportedly rejecting potential January bids from Bayern Munich and other clubs.
Carragher's Critique Signals Patience Running Thin
Kansas.com reported that Carragher told Iraola the club cannot keep excusing Wirtz's poor form based on his age or adaptation period. The mistake against Bournemouth epitomized broader concerns about turnovers and inconsistent decision-making under pressure. Fans and analysts are questioning whether a €155 million investment demands faster results.
Wirtz's Bundesliga Success Did Not Translate Immediately
Before joining Liverpool, Wirtz thrived in Germany's Bundesliga, recording 10 goals and 13 assists in the 2024/25 season Liverpool Echo. His Premier League output—five goals and five assists across all competitions since joining—appears insufficient for a player of his profile. This season alone, he has contributed just one goal involvement, raising questions about whether English football suits his style.
Smicer Defends Wirtz, Blames Finishing Around Him
Former Liverpool midfielder Vladimir Smicer has pushed back against harsh judgments, suggesting Wirtz may have been unlucky. Smicer argued that teammates failed to finish chances created by the midfielder, and said those missed opportunities would have been assists. "He has more inside him," Smicer countered, comparing Wirtz's situation to Paul Pogba's struggles at Manchester United—where external expectations distorted fair assessment of performance TeamTalk.
Midfield Competition Grows Under Iraola
Wirtz sat out Liverpool's Carabao Cup win over Tottenham, revealing stiff competition for midfield places. Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai all scored in that match, while young midfielder James McConnell impressed enough to earn praise from Szoboszlai. Liverpool Echo noted that Iraola's demanding, high-pressure system—adopted after Liverpool's disappointing fifth-place finish last season—may take time for Wirtz to master.
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