Wirtz Unfazed By Criticism As Liverpool Midfielder Keeps Focus On Progress
Wirtz Under Fire From Pundits
Florian Wirtz’s start to life at Liverpool has been far from quiet. Signed for a British record £116 million from Bayer Leverkusen, the German midfielder arrived with a reputation for creativity, composure and goals. Instead, his early months in England have sparked debate, criticism and concern from some of football’s loudest voices.
Liverpool’s decision to invest heavily in Wirtz was part of a statement summer that also saw Alexander Isak arrive for £125 million. The expectation, naturally, was for instant impact. Eleven games in, however, Wirtz has yet to register a goal or an assist in the Premier League.
The scrutiny was inevitable, but the sharpness of the commentary has raised eyebrows. Manchester United legends have led the charge, with Wayne Rooney claiming Wirtz “damages the balance of Liverpool” and that he “doesn’t see where he fits” in Arne Slot’s system. Rooney added: “He’s a top player and I’m sure he will get better, but he’s had a slow start and I think there’s no denying that.”
Gary Neville went further still, describing the 21-year-old as looking like “a little boy” in Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. “Wirtz is a problem, let’s call it what it is,” Neville said. “He’s £120m and he looked like a little boy out there. It can’t be the case. He’s a German international of great standing and he looks well short of what you’d expect from a top physical match.”
Response To Doubters
While the noise grows louder, Wirtz’s camp remains calm. According to BILD, the midfielder is unconcerned by the criticism, particularly given its source. The German outlet reported: “Wirtz doesn’t deserve any sympathy, but the player will take no notice of the United cohort due to the rivalry between the two clubs.”
Inside Liverpool, there is little panic. Slot and his coaching staff believe Wirtz’s adaptation is following a natural curve. The club recognise the gap between the tactical rhythm of the Bundesliga and the relentless physicality of the Premier League. The view from within Melwood is that patience will be rewarded.
It was the same story for a host of imported talents before him. Fabinho, Andy Robertson and even Mohamed Salah took time to settle into Liverpool’s intense environment. Wirtz, just 21, is adjusting not only to a new league but also to the demands of a manager who values pressing and possession in equal measure.
Mental Strength Behind The Scenes
Those who have worked with Wirtz describe a player unshaken by outside noise. One former Leverkusen coach said recently: “He has a strong mentality. He listens, but he doesn’t let opinions dictate his confidence. He believes in his process.”
For Liverpool, this attitude matters more than instant numbers. Slot’s system asks midfielders to rotate positions, switch between roles and read transitions quickly. Wirtz is still mastering that structure, often occupying spaces that expose him to greater physical duels.
Neville’s comments about being “mauled” by Manchester City midfielders such as Matheus Nunes were harsh but not entirely untrue. Yet, Liverpool’s coaching staff view these games as valuable experience, not failures. They see flashes of the player who lit up the Bundesliga, the vision, the timing, the intelligence.
Long Game At Anfield
The wider context matters. Liverpool’s rebuild is about evolution, not revolution. Arne Slot was brought in to continue Jurgen Klopp’s attacking philosophy while refining it tactically. That takes time, especially with younger signings adapting to the pressure cooker of Premier League scrutiny.
Jamie Carragher, one of the few Liverpool voices weighing in, offered a measured take. “He’s found it tough in the Premier League,” he said. “I worry about him going forward, but it’s early days. I need to see something.” Carragher’s words reflect the balance between expectation and understanding.
Wirtz’s reputation in Germany remains intact. He is viewed as a generational talent, a midfielder capable of shaping a decade of success for club and country. His focus now is on contributing to Germany’s upcoming fixtures against Luxembourg and Slovakia before returning to Liverpool duty.
Rio Ferdinand’s suggestion that Wirtz might be questioning his decision to join Liverpool appears misplaced. As BILD reported, he remains fully committed to the project and unshaken by the noise from Manchester. In truth, Liverpool’s dressing room has closed ranks around him. Teammates see his daily application and expect him to flourish once he fully adjusts to the pace of the league.
Liverpool supporters, too, are beginning to show patience. The echoes of previous slow starts by major signings serve as a reminder that adaptation takes time. If history repeats itself, Wirtz may yet turn the early criticism into vindication.
For now, the so-called “little boy” looks set to do his growing up in front of an audience eager to judge every step. But inside Anfield, there is quiet confidence that the player Liverpool fought so hard to sign will soon prove exactly why he was worth every penny.
