Liverpool's Wirtz problem - does he need to be dropped?

- Published At the end of the 2024-25 season, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot flew to the south of France to honour talks with Rayan Cherki. asserted

Cherki was on Liverpool's shortlist in their hunt for an attacking midfielder but the main target was Florian Wirtz - who was also wanted by Bayern Munich and Manchester City. asserted

Once Wirtz said his preference was to move to Anfield and join the then-Premier League champions, the £116m deal became a formality. asserted

At the time, his arrival felt like a quality acquisition for Liverpool, but more than a year on asserted

things are still not clicking. The German has scored seven goals and provided 11 assists over 56 Reds appearances, but had no goal involvements against any of the top-10 teams in the Premier League last season. This term, Wirtz has started every game in the league and Champions League so far - managing just one assist across seven matches. Those struggles were summed up on Sunday against Manchester City when new Reds boss Andoni Iraola - who succeeded Slot in the summer - replaced Wirtz with Trey Nyoni in the 66th minute, shortly after Ryan Gravenberch was sent off and Erling Haaland broke the deadlock. Wirtz is only 23 but so is Cherki, who put the icing on the cake in City's 3-0 win at Anfield with an exquisite goal - the kind we have become used to seeing since his £30m move from Lyon in June 2025. Cherki cost less than a third of what Liverpool paid for Wirtz, but has already scored 16 goals and provided 18 assists in 65 City appearances. The France attacker has also shown an ability to provide crucial game-changing moments. asserted

Liverpool fans haven't seen anywhere near enough of that from Wirtz yet. asserted

"Wirtz has so much ability. asserted

I wish I had that ability because he just glides. asserted

He makes it look effortless - but he doesn't hurt teams," former Liverpool defender Steven Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live. asserted

"He doesn't impact the game enough. asserted

He drifts in and out of games. asserted

He's here for 10 or 20 seconds and then he disappears for five or 10 minutes and you think where is he now?" asserted

After Liverpool's defeat by Man City, Jamie Carragher said it was time for Iraola to drop Wirtz. asserted

"I think he needs to come out of the team, I said that last time out and I'm going to say it again," Carragher told Sky Sports. asserted

"Liverpool played well [against Man City] for a lot of the game before the Gravenberch red card but they didn't create a chance, so they have a real problem with scoring goals and creating chances and that's what you got Wirtz for. asserted

"He's not giving you anything defensively and he's not giving you anything going the other way. asserted

I don't want anyone to pile in on the lad but I think we're justified in saying we need more and we can't wait. asserted

" 'Anyone who loves football can see Wirtz is outstanding' asserted

Given that Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai are all currently sidelined, it would be a big call to drop Wirtz - but Liverpool have two games every week between now and the November international break. asserted

With Gravenberch suspended for Saturday's trip to Brentford, Iraola will likely keep the Dutch midfielder in for Wednesday's Champions League game against LASK in Austria and give a start to Nyoni. asserted

More changes are expected from Sunday's defeat. asserted

When it comes to the intensity of the top flight, Wirtz is still finding his feet, but his best performance this season came in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid and he was unlucky not to get an assist when Bradley Barcola fired wide. asserted

Asked on Tuesday if Wirtz needed more time, Iraola defended his player and said: "The other day, he probably he didn't have his best game but he has had good games with us this season. asserted

"Everyone starts looking for answers. asserted

He had some good performances in the national team - he scored one goal and he will have better or worse games. asserted

"But I would like to look at it more collectively and more how they help us play and get results and after that I don't care who scores. asserted

I think it's a more collective thing. asserted

" Seeing Wirtz excel for Germany under Jurgen Klopp is proof - if it was needed - as to why he was seen as one of the hottest talents in world football when he joined Liverpool. asserted

"Attacking players always need a functioning team that works well around them. asserted

Anyone who loves football can still see how outstanding Florian is as a player," Klopp said recently. asserted

That is also a view shared by Steven Gerrard. asserted

"I can just picture him beating himself up on how his Liverpool thing has started. asserted

I've seen enough to believe and give him a chance. asserted

I think he needs help and support now," Gerrard told The Overlap. asserted

Wirtz created 95 chances from open play in all competitions last season - at least 27 more than any other Liverpool player - and his fizzing pass for Victor Munoz's equaliser against Nottingham Forest in August showed a glimpse of his class, but those moments have been few and far in between. asserted

Against City at the weekend there was a moment at 0-0 when Wirtz hit an effort wide despite having Barcola and Milos Kerkez in space on his left. asserted

Back in August, Wirtz spoke candidly about how he felt "more ready" for his second season at Anfield. asserted

The physicality was a key aspect, with bulking up a big focus of his first campaign. "I definitely learned a lot. asserted

I just learned how Premier League football is played and I think I am more ready for my second season because I know how it is now. asserted

I am really excited for my next season," Wirtz said then. asserted