Schweinsteiger Backs Wirtz to Become Liverpool Talisman

Bastian Schweinsteiger has delivered a firm message about Florian Wirtz, and it carries weight. When a World Cup winner speaks about a young midfielder in these terms, you listen. The Liverpool man has had a mixed first season at Anfield, but the endorsement is clear, this is a player who can become a talisman.

Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen for a club record fee, expectation followed him through the door. Supporters have seen flashes, clever touches, sharp movement, moments where he looks like he can control a match. At the same time, consistency has been missing. That balance defines his first campaign.

Schweinsteiger has seen enough. Speaking to Sport Bild via Bulinews, he placed Wirtz in elite company and made his view obvious.

He said: “I see Wirtz and Musiala as our Ribery and Robben.”

That comparison is not casual. Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben shaped an era at Bayern Munich, decisive, relentless, game changing. To mention Wirtz in that bracket tells you how highly he is rated in Germany.

Creative responsibility growing at Anfield

Schweinsteiger did not stop at comparisons. He went deeper into how Wirtz should be used, and it speaks directly to Liverpool’s approach going forward.

He explained: “If I were playing with Wirtz, I would simply give him the ball as often as possible, because he needs the ball to make his game more dominant.”

That is a tactical instruction as much as praise. Wirtz thrives when involved, when he dictates tempo, when the ball runs through him. For Liverpool, that raises an important point. If he is to become a talisman, the system must trust him.

There have been moments where Wirtz has drifted out of matches, not always through fault of his own. Midfield structure, tempo, and rhythm all play a role. When he gets touches in dangerous areas, you see the difference. His vision opens defences, his weight of pass creates chances others cannot.

Schweinsteiger even highlighted a specific moment, referencing a pass for Germany against Switzerland, a delivery that underlined his technical class. Very few players can execute that level of precision under pressure.

Inconsistency masks underlying quality

It would be wrong to ignore the criticism. After Liverpool’s defeat at Old Trafford, Jamie Carragher was blunt, labelling Wirtz “poor” on the day. He also suggested the player has been shielded from the level of scrutiny others receive.

That is part of the reality at a club like Liverpool. Big fee, big expectations, and performances are analysed closely. Wirtz has not always imposed himself, and there have been games where he has looked short of confidence.

Adaptation must be factored in. The Premier League is unforgiving. Former defender Marcus Babbel described it as “faster” and “harder”, a step up in intensity that can unsettle even top talents. For Wirtz, that adjustment phase has been visible.

There are signs it is mental as much as physical. When confidence dips, influence drops. When he starts brightly, you see a different player, sharper, more assertive, more willing to take responsibility.

Path to becoming Liverpool talisman

Arne Slot has already delivered a Premier League title, and now attention turns to evolution. For Liverpool to push forward again, Wirtz must step into a central role, not just as a contributor, but as a talisman.

Schweinsteiger’s words point to a simple truth. Give him the ball, trust his instincts, and build around his strengths. That does not mean forcing play, it means recognising when he is in rhythm and feeding that momentum.

At 23, time is on his side. The raw attributes are there, creativity, awareness, technical quality. What is needed now is consistency, and that often comes with experience and confidence.

If Wirtz finds that level, Liverpool will have more than a good player. They will have a match winner, a figure who shapes big moments and carries the side through difficult spells.

Schweinsteiger has made his stance clear. The belief is there. Now it is about translating that belief into performances week after week at Anfield.