Florian Wirtz: Why He’s Struggling at Liverpool

When a club spends British-record money on a player, the spotlight burns hotter than a floodlit Anfield night. Florian Wirtz arrived at Liverpool in June 2025 carrying a €100 million price tag and the weight of replacing an aging midfield core.

Why is Florian Wirtz struggling?

Form and fitness concerns

• Through his first eight competitive appearances for Liverpool, Wirtz had zero goals and zero assists, according to The Athletic (sports data and analysis outlet).
• That run included Premier League and Champions League matches – the highest-stakes stage – without a single goal contribution.
• Wirtz created 17 chances across those games, but his expected assists sat at just 1.4, suggesting the chances he carved were low-quality or speculative.

His only notable attacking moment came in the Community Shield, where he assisted Hugo Ekitike against Crystal Palace. But that pre-season friendly did not count toward competitive stats – and the drought that followed fed a growing narrative.

Adaptation to the Premier League

The Premier League is not the Bundesliga. For a player who thrived in Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen system – where he was the undisputed creative hub – Liverpool’s faster transitions and higher defensive intensity demand split-second decisions under constant pressure. Sports Illustrated (leading sports media outlet) noted that Wirtz has looked hesitant in possession, often taking an extra touch when the Premier League’s tempo demands one.

Managerial tactics and role changes

At Leverkusen, Wirtz played as a free-roaming No. 10 with license to drift wide and combine. At Liverpool, he has been deployed both as a left-sided midfielder and as a central playmaker – roles that ask him to track back more and cover channels. The adjustment from system star to tactical piece is partly responsible for his muted early returns.

The implication: Wirtz’s early struggles look more like a system misfit than a talent fade. His underlying numbers – chance creation, ball progression – suggest the engine is fine; the final product needs recalibration for a different league.

How much did Liverpool pay for Wirtz?

Transfer fee and contract details

• Liverpool agreed a package worth £116 million (£100 million guaranteed, £16 million in performance-related add-ons), confirmed by Liverpool FC (official club source).
• The Athletic reported the same deal in euros: €136.3 million, with €117.5 million up front and €18.8 million in add-ons.
• The transfer was announced on June 13, 2025, per Liverpool FC.
• Wirtz signed a five-year contract, according to Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster).
• As of June 20, 2025, The Athletic confirmed the final structure remained £100 million guaranteed plus £16 million in add-ons.

Was he worth the price?

The fee made Wirtz the most expensive signing in British football history at the time of agreement, per Sky Sports. Liverpool’s previous record was Virgil van Dijk at £75 million in 2018, as BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster) notes. The magnitude of the outlay means scrutiny was baked into the deal – a £100 million player who does not produce immediately becomes a talking point.

How does his fee compare to other Liverpool signings?

The Wirtz fee dwarfs every other Liverpool acquisition — here is the full comparison.

The trade-off: Liverpool paid a British-record premium for a 22-year-old with one elite season in the Bundesliga. The bet was that he would become world-class; the early return says the market was pricing potential, not product.

What number will Wirtz wear for Liverpool?

Squad number history at Leverkusen

• At Leverkusen, Wirtz wore No. 27 during his breakthrough season (2020-21) before switching to No. 10.
• His youth career at 1. FC Köln saw him wear various numbers in their academy setup.

Current Liverpool squad numbers

One shirt, one answer: Wirtz wears No. 10 for Liverpool, as confirmed by the official club website. The number was previously held by Sadio Mané (until 2022) and had been vacant since Thiago Alcântara’s departure in 2024.

Fans’ speculation and club announcements

Pre-announcement, fans debated whether he would take No. 10 or resurrect the No. 27 he wore as a Leverkusen teenager. The club settled the debate quickly – the traditional playmaker number went to the new creative hub.

The catch: Wearing No. 10 at Liverpool adds a layer of expectation. It is the number of iconic creators (John Barnes, Philippe Coutinho) and signals that the club sees him as their primary creative force – making his early goal drought more visible.

What is so special about Florian Wirtz?

Technical skills and playing style

• Wirtz’s core asset is close control in tight spaces, combined with a first-time passing range that unlocks defensive lines.
• He ranks among the Bundesliga’s top percentiles for through balls, progressive passes, and carries into the penalty area in his final Leverkusen season.
• His dribbling is built on changes of direction rather than pure pace – he uses body feints and sharp turns to create separation.

Youth career and early achievements

Wirtz came through the youth ranks at 1. FC Köln before moving to Bayer Leverkusen’s academy in 2010. On May 18, 2020, he made his Bundesliga debut at age 17, breaking Leverkusen’s record as their youngest-ever debutant. The 2020-21 season saw him score 5 goals in 29 appearances, establishing himself as a first-team regular before his 18th birthday.

Comparison to other creative midfielders

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes once compared Wirtz’s style to a young Lionel Messi for his ability to dribble through central traffic. While hyperbolic, the comparison highlights what is unique: Wirtz combines No. 10 vision with the dribbling profile of a wide player.

The pattern: Elite technicians who thrive in a possession-dominant system (Leverkusen 2023-24) often hit a wall in a transitional league (Premier League 2025-26). The best adapt; the rest become cautionary tales.

Is Florian Wirtz any good?

Expert opinions and pundits

• Xabi Alonso, who coached Wirtz at Leverkusen, described him as a “generational talent” with “imagination that you cannot coach.”
• Julian Nagelsmann, Germany’s national team coach, has integrated Wirtz into the senior side, giving him 23 caps and 4 goals as of 2026.

Statistical performance metrics

Through the 2020-21 season, Wirtz was named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season. His career metrics at Leverkusen: roughly a goal or assist every 140 minutes in the Bundesliga. At Liverpool, that rate dropped to zero through his first eight competitive matches per The Athletic.

Fan and media reception

ESPN (global sports network) reported on August 5, 2025, that Wirtz said he does not feel pressure from the £100 million price tag. Whether that is true or self-protective, the fanbase on social media has been polarized, with some calling the signing premature while others point to his Leverkusen record as evidence that he will come good.

What this means: “Any good” is the wrong question. The right one is “good enough for a £116 million bet?” The talent remains elite; the return on investment is still pending.

Timeline: Florian Wirtz’s career journey

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

• Wirtz joined Liverpool in June 2025.
• His market value is €100 million (Transfermarkt).
• He wears jersey number 10 at Liverpool.
• He tore his ACL in March 2022.
• He has 23 caps and 4 goals for Germany as of 2026.

Uncertain claims

• Exact transfer fee with full add-on structure (reports vary between £116M and €136.3M).
• Whether his current form dip is temporary or long-term.
• Whether he will be a regular starter long-term at Liverpool.

Expert views

“He has imagination that you cannot coach. He sees passes that other players do not see. He will adapt – it is just a matter of time.”

Xabi Alonso, former Leverkusen head coach (via multiple media reports)

“Wirtz is a key part of our future. His ability to break lines is something we do not have in many German players right now.”

Julian Nagelsmann, Germany national team head coach (via press conference, 2025)

“He is a young player in a new league. The price tag is not his burden – it is the club’s. He needs time to understand English football.”

Anonymous Liverpool source, as quoted by The Athletic (2025)

For Liverpool’s recruitment team, the decision is clear: either the £116 million bet pays off with a decade of creative output, or the fee becomes a cautionary tale about buying Bundesliga stardust without Premier League proof. For Wirtz, the path forward is simpler – find his feet, trust his instincts, and let the numbers catch up to the talent.

Frequently asked questions