Are Liverpool Finally Starting to See the Real Florian Wirtz?

When Liverpool secured the signature of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen last summer for £100 million, the football world watched with bated breath. The German wonderkid was expected to be the final piece in Liverpool’s title puzzle — a generational talent stepping into an already elite squad.

Instead, his early months at Anfield were anything but smooth.

After a promising debut assist in the Community Shield, Wirtz struggled to adapt to the relentless pace and physicality of the Premier League. Critics were quick to pounce, labelling him overrated, too lightweight for English football, and questioning whether Liverpool had made a costly error. Fast forward a few months, and the narrative has shifted dramatically. Wirtz is finally showing why Liverpool invested so heavily in him.

A Rocky Start at Anfield

Wirtz’s competitive Liverpool debut couldn’t have started better. Just four minutes into the Community Shield, he slipped a neat assist to fellow debutant Hugo Ekitiké, hinting at a seamless transition into Arne Slot’s system.

Reality soon caught up.

Despite Liverpool winning their opening five league games, performances were patchy. Wirtz showed flashes of brilliance but struggled to impose himself physically, often losing duels and misjudging decisions under pressure. He failed to register a single goal or assist in the early weeks, a stark contrast to his output in Germany.

The situation worsened during a miserable run of nine defeats in twelve matches across all competitions. While Wirtz impressed in Champions League wins over Eintracht Frankfurt and Real Madrid — including two assists against Frankfurt — his domestic struggles fuelled claims that he simply wasn’t built for the Premier League.

Arne Slot acknowledged the learning curve early on, memorably saying after Wirtz cramped up against Arsenal: “After 85 minutes, I don’t think he knew he could have cramp in so many different places. That’s welcome to the Premier League, welcome to playing at this intensity.”

The Numbers Behind the Struggle

The data backed up the eye test. At Leverkusen, Wirtz averaged 83.6 touches per 90 minutes. In his first 20 Liverpool games, that number dropped to just 63.9, highlighting how peripheral he often looked.

Wirtz: Early vs Recent Liverpool Form

Before December, Wirtz had created 25 Premier League chances without a single assist and taken 21 shots without scoring. The frustration was real, but so was the misfortune.

The Turning Point

December marked the beginning of Wirtz’s revival.

Against Brighton, he won possession nine times — more than triple any teammate — signalling a clear improvement in his defensive work and physical engagement. Days later, everything finally clicked.

At Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Wirtz delivered a perfectly weighted through ball for Alexander Isak to score. It was his first league assist, and the release was obvious. He recorded 105 touches that day, the first time he crossed the 100-touch mark in a Liverpool shirt.

Soon after, he opened his Premier League goal account against Wolves, poking home from an Ekitiké pass. The relief was visible. It took 21 shots, but the dam had finally burst.

A Blossoming Partnership with Hugo Ekitiké

One of Liverpool’s biggest positives this season has been the chemistry between Wirtz and Ekitiké. The two summer arrivals have combined for six goals across all competitions — more than any other Premier League duo.

Most Productive Premier League Combinations (2025–26)

Against Wolves, Wirtz contested 15 duels and won 11 — both personal bests — underlining how far he has come physically.

Statistical Resurgence

The contrast between Wirtz’s early season and recent form is stark.

Since his breakthrough against Tottenham on December 20, no Premier League player has more goal contributions across all competitions.

Physical and Tactical Adaptation

Wirtz’s improvement hasn’t happened by accident. He has visibly added muscle, allowing him to cope with the league’s physical demands. His duel success rate has risen from 36.2% to 45.5%, even surpassing his Bundesliga average.

Tactically, he has been used across multiple roles — left wing, No.10, right side, and even as a false nine. While that versatility initially disrupted rhythm, recent matches have seen him operate more consistently in the left half-space outside the box, mirroring his most dangerous zones in Germany.

Notably, while he is creating fewer chances per 90, the quality of those chances has improved, reflected in a jump in expected assists.

The Newcastle Statement Performance

Liverpool’s 4–1 win over Newcastle felt like a statement night for Wirtz. With just 52 touches, he still delivered a goal and an assist — proof of efficiency rather than volume.

His first-half creativity unlocked a compact defence for Ekitiké’s equaliser, and his second-half finish from Mohamed Salah’s pass oozed confidence. This was not the hesitant Wirtz of September.

Winning the Mental Battle

Wirtz has been open about the psychological strain of his slow start: “I wanted instant success, but it didn’t happen. I had to stay strong mentally and believe it would click.”

He admitted doubting himself but reminded himself that football fundamentals don’t disappear overnight. That mindset, combined with faith from the coaching staff, proved decisive.

What Comes Next?

At just 22, Wirtz is only scratching the surface of his potential. His January Player of the Month nomination reflects league-wide recognition of his turnaround.

Arne Slot praised both the player’s work ethic and the club’s patience:

“He always had something special on the ball. The biggest improvement is his work without it — and that’s essential in this league.”

The Manchester City Test

The anticipated showdown with Manchester City at Anfield on February 8th, 2026, provided Florian Wirtz with the perfect opportunity to cement his credentials on the biggest stage. After scoring in five of his previous six home games, expectations were high that the German could deliver against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Wirtz started the match as part of Liverpool’s attacking trio alongside Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo, supporting Hugo Ekitiké up front. The first half proved challenging, with Manchester City dominating possession and controlling large periods of play. Wirtz struggled to impose himself early on, finding space difficult to come by against City’s organized defensive structure.

Despite the difficulties, Wirtz demonstrated his growing maturity by working tirelessly off the ball. He ran hard throughout the match, putting in a real shift that earned him a rating of 7 out of 10 from observers. One particular moment showcased his increasing confidence: a clever backheeled flick into Salah’s path during the first half that epitomized the creative spark Liverpool had been missing for years.

Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, analyzing the match for Sky Sports, praised Wirtz’s development: “Wirtz’s game is developing. The numbers he’s now putting on the board, he’s doing very well. I like the areas he picks up, in those pockets, on the half-turn. The creative influence, that’s something that’s been missing over the previous seven or eight years.”

Unfortunately for Liverpool, the match ended in heartbreak. Dominik Szoboszlai’s sensational free-kick in the 74th minute appeared to have secured victory, but Manchester City mounted a dramatic late comeback. Bernardo Silva equalized in the 84th minute before Erling Haaland converted a stoppage-time penalty to seal a 2-1 victory for the visitors.

While the result was disappointing, Wirtz’s performance demonstrated continued improvement. He saw more of the ball in the second half and showed the quality that made him one of Europe’s most sought-after talents. With a little extra pace around him, observers noted how he could elevate to an even higher level.

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