Kimmich backs Wirtz to silence doubters after slow Liverpool start
Liverpool’s £116 million signing Florian Wirtz has endured a testing start to life on Merseyside, but international teammate Joshua Kimmich insists the midfielder will come good in time.
Kimmich offers calm amid early uncertainty
Liverpool’s campaign has not gone as planned. Despite a summer outlay approaching £450 million, results have been underwhelming, and performances from several new arrivals have drawn scrutiny. Among those under the microscope is Wirtz — the 22-year-old Germany international who arrived with enormous expectations following his emergence at Bayer Leverkusen.
Since his move, Wirtz has shown flashes of the creativity that made him one of Europe’s most coveted talents, yet consistency remains elusive. Adjusting to a new league, culture and tactical system under Arne Slot has proven challenging, and some supporters have begun to question whether he can justify his record transfer fee.
Amid that doubt, Kimmich has reached out to his compatriot to offer encouragement. Speaking to German outlet BILD, relayed by the Liverpool Echo, the Bayern Munich midfielder revealed: “I’ve contacted him, but there’s absolutely no reason for him to doubt himself. Flo has the perfect blend of quality and mentality that will always lead you to the top as a player in the long run. He has to remain patient and, of course, is also dependent on his team.”
Patience urged as Liverpool adaptation continues
Kimmich’s message highlights an often-overlooked truth in modern football: time is vital for integration. Moving countries, adapting to a new tactical structure and handling Premier League intensity can take months, even for elite talents.
Liverpool’s season has been turbulent, with a number of new faces settling in simultaneously. Wirtz’s adaptation has coincided with changes in system and personnel under Slot, a manager whose positional play demands discipline and spatial intelligence. Those within the club remain confident that once Wirtz finds rhythm and understanding with teammates like Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, his natural talent will shine through.
Opportunity for statement performances ahead
Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures could offer the perfect platform for Wirtz to announce himself. The Reds face both Real Madrid and Manchester City — two clubs who were strongly interested in signing him during the summer — in a demanding stretch of matches.
Performing against that calibre of opposition would not only restore confidence but also underline why Liverpool fought so hard to bring him to Anfield. For a player whose game thrives on courage, vision and precision under pressure, these tests could define his early narrative in England.
Confidence remains in long-term success
Inside the Liverpool camp, there is little concern. Coaches and teammates have reportedly been impressed by Wirtz’s professionalism and commitment in training. The consensus is that his technical quality is beyond doubt and that once he acclimatises to the tempo of the Premier League, he will become a central figure in Slot’s evolving system.
For now, patience and perspective are key. Wirtz may not yet have delivered the explosive start some expected, but his story at Liverpool is only beginning. With guidance from leaders like Kimmich and belief from those around him, few doubt that he will eventually justify his price tag — and perhaps, silence his critics in spectacular fashion.
