Liverpool’s acquisition of German midfielder Florian Wirtz has become a point of contention at Anfield, with fans and pundits questioning whether the 23‑year‑old should remain in the squad. The player, who joined the club for a reported £116 million in the summer of 2024, has yet to deliver the impact expected from a player of his pedigree. In 56 appearances for the Reds, Wirtz has netted seven goals and supplied 11 assists, but he has failed to register a single goal involvement against any of the Premier League’s top ten teams last season and has only managed one assist in seven league and Champions League matches this campaign.
The debate was highlighted after Liverpool’s 3‑0 loss to Manchester City on Sunday, when new manager Andoni Iraola substituted Wirtz for Trey Nyoni in the 66th minute, shortly after Ryan Gravenberch was sent off and Erling Haaland scored. The decision was seen as a clear signal that the club’s coaching staff are ready to consider alternatives. In contrast, Rayan Cherki – who cost less than a third of Wirtz’s transfer fee – has already scored 16 goals and provided 18 assists in 65 appearances for City, including a memorable strike in the same match that sealed the win for the visitors.
Former Liverpool defender Steven Warnock, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, praised Wirtz’s technical ability but criticised his lack of influence on games, describing him as a player who “drifts in and out” of matches. Jamie Carragher echoed this view on Sky Sports, stating that Wirtz “doesn’t give you anything defensively or going the other way” and that Liverpool need more from the position. The comments come at a time when the club’s squad is already stretched, with key midfielders Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai currently sidelined.
Despite the criticism, manager Iraola has defended the young German, noting that he has delivered solid performances in the national team and that Liverpool’s style of play requires a cohesive unit around which attacking players can thrive. He added that the club will look at collective contributions rather than individual statistics when evaluating Wirtz’s role. Klopp and former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard have also spoken positively about Wirtz’s talent, suggesting that he needs more support to adapt fully to the Premier League’s physical demands.
With Liverpool set to play two matches a week until the November international break, the decision on Wirtz’s future will hinge on his performances in the coming fixtures. Gravenberch’s suspension for the upcoming trip to Brentford means the Dutch midfielder will likely start the Champions League game against LASK, while Wirtz may be given a chance to prove himself again. If he fails to deliver, Iraola will face the difficult task of reshuffling the midfield and possibly dropping Wirtz from the squad to maintain the team’s competitive edge.