When Liverpool acquired Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, the reaction from English football was immediate and astonished. Premier League rivals expressed shock as one of the world’s brightest young talents was set to join a club vying for the title in the 2024-2025 season.
Despite the hefty transfer fee of £100m (potentially reaching £116m with add-ons), there was little skepticism about the investment, except from rival fans and those unfamiliar with Wirtz’s feats in the Bundesliga.
Although it took longer than expected, Wirtz’s recent performances indicate he is beginning to adapt to his role at Liverpool, which many believe is pivotal for the club’s future.
There was initial curiosity regarding his fit within Arne Slott’s system, but he quickly impressed, providing an assist just four minutes into his competitive debut, setting up fellow newcomer Hugo Ekitike in the Community Shield match against Crystal Palace at Wembley.
However, while Liverpool enjoyed a perfect start with five wins to defend their Premier League title, they were not particularly convincing, and Wirtz’s early contributions mirrored that inconsistency. Although his talent was occasionally visible, he often appeared physically outmatched, made questionable decisions, and struggled to develop the instinctive chemistry with his teammates that he demonstrated in Germany.
During his time in Germany, Wirtz consistently recorded double-digit goals and assists for consecutive seasons. Yet, despite a positive start, Liverpool’s attack fell off, with no goals or assists for Wirtz in league play following the Community Shield’s early moments. A downturn followed, with Liverpool undergoing a challenging run of nine losses and only three wins in 12 matches across competitions. Wirtz did shine in Champions League fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt and Real Madrid, notching two assists against Frankfurt, but these performances led to increased scrutiny regarding his ability to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity.
The hefty price tag and his reputation made him an easy target for criticism, with some pundits and opponents labeling him as “too lightweight” for English football. Nonetheless, Slott emphasized the importance of physical conditioning early on and clarified that Wirtz was not actually injured when he exited during a 1-0 victory against Arsenal in August. “It wasn’t an injury at all,” he quipped, pointing out that even the most talented young players from abroad need time to adjust to the league’s physicality.
Hints of improvement emerged throughout December. In a draw against Nordi Mukiele at Anfield, Wirtz thought he had scored when his shot deflected off target, but it was declared an own goal. Momentum began to build against Brighton ten days later, where he won possession nine times—three more than any teammate—during a 2-0 victory. Statistics ahead of upcoming matches against Tottenham indicated Wirtz’s growing influence, tallying 25 chances in the Premier League, more than any player without an assist at that point of the 2025-26 season. The issue, however, lay with his teammates’ finishing abilities.
An example of his potential came during the December fixture with Chelsea, where Wirtz entered as a substitute and made a brilliant reverse touch to set up Mohamed Salah, who unfortunately missed the opportunity. However, his breakout moment arrived in the match against Spurs, where he won the ball and delivered a perfectly executed pass to Alexander Isak, who scored to give Liverpool the lead. Sadly, Isak’s success was overshadowed by Micky van de Ven’s injury. Yet, Wirtz’s confidence continued to grow.
The Tottenham match marked a significant milestone for him; he recorded over 100 touches for the first time in a Premier League match (105 touches). He did it again in the following match against Wolves (106 touches) and notched his first league goal shortly after, finishing calmly following an assist from Ekitike. His joyful celebration, along with his teammates’ reactions, reflected the importance of this breakthrough moment.
Amazingly, it took him 21 shots to finally score in the league this season, a testament to the challenges he faced. Ekitike’s assist was part of their synergy, as they combined for six goals, more than any other duo in the Premier League during 2025-26, each assisting the other three times.
His physical development was also evident as he navigated through 15 matches, securing 11 wins—both personal bests that showcased his adaptation to the league’s pace. After he finally broke through, he became more prolific, scoring in a 2-2 draw against Fulham and in a 1-1 match against Burnley in early January. Still, it was his standout performance in the 4-1 victory against Newcastle that significantly altered public perception. He had a goal and an assist with only 52 touches, demonstrating his ability to impact the game without dominating possession.
His exceptional footwork opened up the Newcastle defense leading to Ekitike’s equalizer, and he delivered two late goals with precision, sealing the win for Liverpool.
After initially struggling with no goals and just three assists in his first 21 games for the club, Wirtz struck a rich vein of form, registering nine contributions (six goals and three assists) in his final 11 outings. Since returning to form against Tottenham on December 20, he has been the top goal contributor in the Premier League across all competitions.
So, what has changed?
A major factor is his increased involvement in games. Last season at Leverkusen, Wirtz averaged 83.6 touches per 90 minutes, but in his first 20 games with Liverpool, this plummeted to just 63.9. Recently, he has surged back to 81.9, demonstrating a return to the influence he had in the Bundesliga.
Additionally, his touches in the opposition’s penalty area increased from 5.0 per 90 minutes to 7.6, and his playing position has shifted to more favorable spaces, especially on the left side where he thrived at Leverkusen. Due to Kodi Gakpo’s injury, Wirtz has occasionally been deployed on the left wing, further showcasing his skills.
Wirtz’s physical development has also played a crucial role. He has gained strength, as evidenced by an increase in his duel win rate from 36.2% to 45.5%, surpassing his previous success rate at Leverkusen in the 2023-24 season.
Interestingly, while the number of chances he creates has decreased (from 2.8 to 2.2 per 90 minutes), the quality of those chances has improved—expected assists per 90 have risen from 0.25 to 0.39. This suggests a deeper understanding of his position within the team and a more calculated approach in the attacking phase.
In a recent interview, Wirtz expressed his desire to quickly adapt to the Premier League, stating, “I wanted it to be successful right away.” He acknowledged the mental challenge of transitioning to a new league but reassured himself about his skills, emphasizing the support from those around him.
A low point came during a 3-0 loss to Manchester City where he managed just 24 passes— the fewest for any Liverpool starter that day. Yet, as City prepares to visit Anfield, Wirtz has made significant strides and could showcase how far he has come in a match that offers a perfect backdrop for his ongoing development.
He has scored in five of his last six home appearances, setting the stage for a critical display against City’s defense, which has shown some vulnerabilities. Slott recently lauded Wirtz’s growth, pointing to his improved conditioning and off-ball movement, asserting that his technical skills have always been top-notch. On the same day, Wirtz received a nomination for the January Premier League Player of the Month award.
Given his towering price tag, it’s easy to forget he is only 22 and has ample room for development. While it’s premature to label him a definitive Liverpool superstar, there is considerably more optimism regarding his future trajectory compared to the start of the season.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans as it highlights a promising young talent overcoming early struggles to realize his potential in one of the world’s most competitive leagues. Wirtz’s evolution could not only add depth to Liverpool’s roster but also serve as a testament to the resilience and adaptability required to succeed at the highest level, inspiring future generations of players.
