Florian Wirtz Liverpool future questioned amid Anfield struggles

Florian Wirtz’s future at Liverpool is already being questioned in Germany, with SportBILD suggesting a transfer could eventually become an option if the midfielder’s difficult situation at Anfield does not improve.

Wirtz has struggled to establish the influential role expected of him following his expensive move to Liverpool last summer. Five matches into Andoni Iraola’s reign, questions remain over where the 23-year-old fits into the manager’s system.

The criticism surrounding Wirtz has also become a talking point during the international break. Germany manager Jurgen Klopp has defended the midfielder and suggested he may simply have joined Liverpool at an unfortunate time.

SportBILD has now gone further, arguing that Wirtz is not playing the pivotal role he expected and that a solution will eventually be required.

The German publication argues that Liverpool’s substantial investment has increased scrutiny around Wirtz, while simultaneously putting pressure on the club to find a way of restoring his best form.

A January departure is described as unrealistic. However, SportBILD suggests Liverpool could eventually consider their options if there is no meaningful improvement.

The report points to wider issues behind Wirtz’s difficulties, including Liverpool’s tactical structure, the major squad overhaul of 2025 and what it describes as Mohamed Salah’s “selfishness”.

There are also claims of a more complicated internal dynamic.

According to SportBILD, established Liverpool players have not necessarily embraced the idea of Wirtz becoming the central playmaker. The German has not been ostracised, but the report claims teammates are not consistently looking for him or attempting to make him the focal point of Liverpool’s attacking football.

SportBILD suggests Wirtz may have been unprepared for the “internal power struggles” associated with establishing himself among Liverpool’s existing stars.

That is presented as another factor behind his current problems, alongside a playing style traditionally based around greater dynamism and physicality than Wirtz may naturally prefer.

These claims should be treated as SportBILD’s interpretation of the situation rather than confirmation of dressing-room unrest at Liverpool.

A potential transfer is nevertheless raised as a longer-term solution. Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea are mentioned as clubs with the financial resources to afford Wirtz, although the report does not establish concrete interest from any of them.

His reported €20m annual salary and the major transfer fee Liverpool invested would also make any deal complicated.

For now, the focus remains on whether Iraola can find a structure that brings more from Wirtz. A January exit is not considered realistic, meaning the midfielder still has time to change the direction of his Liverpool career before decisions over his longer-term future become necessary.

The immediate focus will remain on Wirtz establishing a clearer role under Iraola after the international break.

Liverpool have made a major investment in the midfielder, giving both sides considerable incentive to make the partnership work rather than pursue an early separation. January is therefore not considered a realistic exit point.

If Wirtz remains unable to establish himself as a central figure over the coming months, however, questions about his longer-term future are likely to intensify. For now, talk of Manchester City, Arsenal or Chelsea should be considered speculative rather than evidence that negotiations over a transfer have begun.