Florian Wirtz Liverpool news has taken a dark turn just weeks after his mega-money summer move to Anfield. The German midfielder, signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m, has been described as “almost invisible” in Germany’s 2-0 defeat to Slovakia, with BILD openly asking: “What’s going on?”
Wirtz was expected to lead the national team’s attack in the absence of Jamal Musiala, but against Slovakia he slipped out of the stadium head down, avoiding the cameras after another ineffective performance. The criticism comes amid a difficult adaptation period in the Premier League, where Wirtz has managed just one assist in four games so far.
Could Liverpool’s marquee summer signing already be facing his first Anfield crisis?
BILD: Wirtz “Not Yet Integrated” at Liverpool
BILD’s report pulls no punches. They argue Wirtz has failed to convince either at club or international level since leaving Leverkusen.
“He is supposed to be leading the attack in Musiala’s absence, but against Slovakia he was almost invisible. The problems were already noticeable in the Nations League finals when attacking play too often bypassed him. He appears not yet integrated at Liverpool and is struggling with the pace and physicality of the Premier League.” — BILD
The 21-year-old did score in Germany’s 1-1 draw with Portugal earlier this summer, but otherwise his impact has been limited — both for his country and new club.
Why Liverpool Need Wirtz to Fire
Liverpool’s midfield rebuild under Arne Slot was centred around Wirtz. His creativity and flair were meant to replace the departed Thiago and give the Reds a new attacking dimension.
The fear at Anfield is that Wirtz may take longer than expected to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity. Slot has so far rotated him between central attacking midfield and the left side, but the German has yet to look comfortable.
Wirtz’s Numbers So Far
| Stat (2025/26) | Florian Wirtz |
|---|---|
| Liverpool Appearances | 4 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Germany v Slovakia | 0 goals, 0 assists |
source: sofascore match data – 5 September 2025
By contrast, Wirtz’s last season at Leverkusen was prolific: 45 games, 16 goals, 15 assists. That gulf in productivity is what is now fuelling questions about his slow start at Liverpool.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Wirtz’s struggles are natural, but the scrutiny is magnified by his price tag:
“Wirtz has the technical quality to be Liverpool’s creative hub, but the Premier League transition is brutal. His timing, body strength and spatial awareness all need a few months to recalibrate. It’s too early for panic, but Germany’s reliance on him has exposed the same issues that Liverpool fans are now noticing.”
William adds:
“If Slot wants him to shine, he may need to simplify Wirtz’s role. At Leverkusen he thrived in structured patterns; at Liverpool, the game is faster and more chaotic. Until he adapts, his £116m fee will keep weighing heavily.”
Key Insights
- Wirtz joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen for £85m this summer.
- Has registered 0 goals, 1 assist in 4 games so far.
- Criticised in Germany after “invisible” display v Slovakia.
- BILD say he is “not yet integrated” and struggling with the Premier League’s pace.
- Last season at Leverkusen: 16 goals + 15 assists in 45 matches.
What’s Next for Wirtz and Liverpool?
Liverpool face a Burnley next in the Premier League and a Champions League group opener against Atletico Madrid. Slot must decide whether to keep Wirtz starting every match or gradually build him into the team.
For Germany, the pressure is no lighter. With Musiala still absent, Wirtz may be forced to carry the creative load in their next World Cup qualifier — whether he is ready or not.
Is Florian Wirtz simply suffering from an adaptation period, or is his Liverpool start a sign of deeper problems?
0 Comments
First read message
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *