Andoni Iraola believes that Florian Wirtz deserves to be evaluated on the same criteria as his teammates at Liverpool, urging everyone to focus on his performance levels.
Wirtz made a high-profile move to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen last season, reportedly for £116 million, but he has struggled to make an immediate impact since joining the team.
The 23-year-old has scored seven goals and provided nine assists in 54 total appearances for Liverpool, with only one assist recorded in the current 2026-27 season.
While Dominik Szoboszlai (16) and Cody Gakpo (10) have surpassed him in creating chances this season, Wirtz’s total of nine still raises questions about his performance.
He sat out Liverpool’s recent 3-1 victory over Tottenham in the EFL Cup, as the team opted to rest him ahead of a Premier League match against Bournemouth, where Iraola previously managed.
Ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp included Wirtz in his first Germany squad but cautioned against expecting “special moments” from the young talent.
“He should face the same judgment as everyone else. Whether he plays well or not, we need to look at how the team functions with him on the pitch,” Iraola commented regarding Wirtz’s situation.
“I hold Florian in high regard; he knows our expectations and is eager to contribute in many ways. While he certainly aims to increase his goals and assists, he is aiding the team in several other facets as well.”
“We were also able to give him a well-deserved rest against Spurs, considering his efforts in previous matches.”
On target at the AXA Training Centre pic.twitter.com/153eICnVbz
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 17, 2026
Iraola will be facing Bournemouth for the first time, making him the first Liverpool manager to compete against a former Premier League club since Brendan Rodgers in March 2015, when Liverpool defeated Swansea City.
Recent Liverpool managers have maintained an unbeaten record of seven matches (five wins, two draws) against their former clubs since Kenny Dalglish’s loss to Newcastle United in April 2012.
Under Iraola, Bournemouth qualified for the Europa League last season, and their new head coach, Marco Rose, started off with a victory against La Liga’s Real Sociedad.
Nevertheless, Bournemouth has struggled this season, failing to secure a win in their first four Premier League outings (three draws, one loss), marking their longest winless start since 2023-24 when they went nine matches without a win under Iraola.
“I don’t see many significant changes. They mainly stick with the same starting XI, with just a few adjustments,” Iraola remarked.
“They lost Marcos Senesi but brought in Antonio Silva, a player with a similar profile. Their key philosophy remains unchanged, and I had the chance to talk to Marco Rose before leaving. They still pose a significant threat; they are a very good team.”
Additionally, Iraola spoke about Rio Ngumoha and Alex Scott, both of whom have been included in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for upcoming Nations League matches.
“I’m thrilled for both of them; they absolutely deserve it,” Iraola commented. “They contributed to the national team’s preparations ahead of the tournament, and I’m confident they performed well.”
“I can only speak highly of them. Their selections are well-deserved, and I hope they both enjoy the experience.”
Fan Take: This update is significant for soccer enthusiasts as it highlights the importance of fair judgment and realistic expectations for young talents like Wirtz. His performance could have a ripple effect on Liverpool’s season and shape the narrative around high-money transfers in modern football.
Source: www.soccernews.com
