'Now he's the old Wirtz' - Is there cause for optimism over Liverpool’s big-money midfielder?
Updated 12/10/2025 at 23:51 GMT+1
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Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann believes Liverpool will soon see the best of Florian Wirtz after the big-money midfielder’s indifferent start to life in the Premier League. Wirtz joined The Reds for £116 million in the summer but has yet to register a goal or an assist for his new club. Beyond those numbers, though, Nagelsmann insists there is cause for optimism for Reds fans.
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Much was expected of Florian Wirtz when he arrived on Merseyside following his reported £116 million move from Bayer Leverkusen to Premier League champions Liverpool in the summer.
The German was tipped to thrive in England and add even more star quality to Arne Slot’s title-winning squad during what was a remarkable transfer window for The Reds.
But the 22-year-old has not yet made the impact many thought he would. In seven Premier League appearances and two UEFA Champions League games, Wirtz has failed to register a goal or an assist.
It is not the start The Reds would have hoped for from their big-money recruit, but could we be about to see Wirtz hitting his stride when he returns to Liverpool?
His sublime free-kick in Germany’s 3-1 World Cup qualifying win over Northern Ireland in September remains his only goal contribution this season, but manager Julian Nagelsmann remains adamant he will soon hit top form and delight the Liverpool faithful.
"I think it's the normal way when you go to a new club, to a new league, it's not that easy at the beginning," Nagelsmann said.
"He will adapt, I think, very quickly, and he will score goals for Liverpool and he will create a lot of chances."
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Nagelsmann knows him well having been appointed as the Germany manager in September 2023, so has he noticed any dip in confidence?
"I think the first time when we met after the summer period, it was kind of special for him because he was new at Liverpool and then in the first time in the national team [after his move]," Nagelsmann added.
"We had a long meeting and discussed the situation but now he's the old Wirtz, a good mood, and I hope we will see him perform tomorrow evening very well."
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Germany are level with Northern Ireland at the top of their World Cup qualifying group on six points after three games. And they take on their fellow table-toppers next at Windsor Park on Monday evening.
It will then be back to domestic duty for Wirtz as Liverpool look to arrest a run of three successive losses in all competitions.
It is the first time Slot’s tenure has faced any scrutiny since he seamlessly succeeded Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield dugout.
The Reds welcome rivals Manchester United on October 19, before returning to Champions League action away to Eintracht Frankfurt and travelling to face Brentford in hte Premier League. That is all in the space of six days.
Just around the corner, Real Madrid and Manchester City are also lurking. It is a gruelling run that is sure to throw up some challenges.
However, a Wirtz in top form and having the same impact he had at Leverkusen could certainly go some way to alleviating some of the pressure.
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