Florian Wirtz's Liverpool team-mates blamed for £116m man's slow start to life at Anfield by Germany legend

Wirtz hasn’t been able to replicate the scintillating form that earned him Germany’s Footballer of the Year award in 2025. In his first seven Premier League appearances, Wirtz has yet to score or provide an assist - a stark contrast to his 31 goal contributions (16 goals, 15 assists) for Leverkusen in 2024-25.

Voller insisted that the problem isn’t Wirtz’s talent but the players surrounding him. "He does an incredible amount, runs a lot, sprints a lot, and also drops deep," he told Sky90. "But he doesn't get passed to him the way he was used to in Leverkusen or the national team. You have to work on that over the course of weeks and months."

Liverpool's attack has yet to click into top gear. Wirtz is still adapting to the physicality and intensity of the Premier League, a division known for its relentless pace and unforgiving tackles. Finding his best role in Arne Slot’s system is proving challenging, especially as Liverpool continue to adjust after key departures and squad reshuffles. Moreover, the partnership between Wirtz and fellow newcomer Alexander Isak is still finding its rhythm, which is another concern for Slot. 

The international break might be just the respite Liverpool need. With Wirtz struggling to hit his stride and the team still adjusting, a short pause offers a chance for Slot to recalibrate tactics, work on combinations, and let Wirtz recover mentally and physically from the hectic start to his Premier League career.

The calendar doesn’t get any easier once football resumes. Liverpool face a marquee clash against Manchester United, a fixture guaranteed to magnify every flaw. Following that, a Champions League away trip to Eintracht Frankfurt promises another stern examination of Wirtz’s adjustment to life at the top. Wirtz’s talent is undeniable, but expectations are sky-high for a player who commanded a £116m transfer fee.