DFB star returns to Germany
So far he seems like a follower
October 22, 2025 – 5:28 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
He was the transfer of the summer – at least from a German perspective. But after his 125 million euro move comes Florian Wirtz in Liverpool not really going.
The raw numbers don’t speak for him: So far, Florian Wirtz has only been able to score one point in eleven competitive games for his new club Liverpool FC. The English champions were probably hoping for a shorter adjustment period given the high transfer fee paid for the ex-Leverkusen player. But the 22-year-old is apparently still looking for his role in coach Arne Slot’s system.
He is not alone in this. Because Liverpool bought some top-class players in the summer. The club was obviously not just concerned with closing specific gaps in the squad, but also with bringing players of the highest quality to Anfield. This explains why Liverpool bought the two strikers Hugo Ekitiké (from Eintracht Frankfurt) and Alexander Isak (from Newcastle United) for a total of 240 million euros – for one and the same position. And the already strong midfield was strengthened with Wirtz – for 125 million euros. The greater competition in the team is intended to inspire – but it causes problems.
In the case of the German international, the Dutchman Cody Gakpo has the position of left winger firmly under control, while the former Leipzig player Dominik Szoboszlai claims the coveted number ten in Slot’s 4-2-3-1, being the control center in front of the attackers. Two positions that Wirtz would also be ideal for. A personnel dilemma for coach Slot, which adds to the sporting crisis. Things aren’t going well for the “Reds” at the moment: Liverpool have recently suffered four defeats in a row across all competitions.
So far, Wirtz has seemed more like a follower in his new environment. It doesn’t fit – yet – at all. He is not allowed to act anywhere near as freely as was the case in Leverkusen. Wirtz’s speed runs are actually his strength. However, when he plays on the left flank instead of Gakpo, he often stays on this side, also because the new left-back Milos Kerkez tends to stay deep to protect himself and does not get involved in the offensive game. If Wirtz plays centrally, he is at best a heater for Liverpool’s possession, but not yet a source of inspiration.
In his previous appearances, whether centrally or on the left in the offensive line, he has not been nearly as productive as he was in Leverkusen. While he played an average of between 67 and 70 passes over 90 minutes of playing time in the two previous seasons, there are currently only 49 attempted passes to teammates. At the same time, Wirtz rarely created clear scoring opportunities. He created around five shots over 90 minutes, but only managed one assist.