Liverpool’s rebuild under Arne Slot suffered its first major setback at the weekend, with a last-gasp defeat to Crystal Palace exposing early teething problems. But while the champions regroup, one big-money signing is coming under intense scrutiny: Florian Wirtz.
Jeremie Frimpong claims Liverpool talent who simply can’t find form is usually so ‘consistent’ — underlines the contrasting perceptions of Wirtz. The German playmaker arrived for £116m from Bayer Leverkusen, but eight games into his Liverpool career, he is still searching for his first Premier League goal contribution.
Frimpong, who swapped Leverkusen for Anfield himself, has urged patience. Speaking on the first episode of Liverpool Player Portraits, he highlighted Wirtz’s natural attributes: “He has a lot of attributes, you know. But three, I would say, obviously his playmaking. His dribbling. Yeah, and he’s consistent.”
Jeremie Frimpong claims Liverpool talent who simply can’t find form is usually so ‘consistent’
Consistency is exactly what Liverpool fans expected when Wirtz signed, but the adaptation to England has proved tougher than anticipated. Slot’s men were sluggish in the first half at Selhurst Park, and Wirtz again struggled to impose himself on the tempo of the match.
Frimpong’s comments, however, serve as a reminder of the 22-year-old’s class. At Leverkusen, Wirtz was one of Europe’s most creative midfielders, thriving in a system that gave him freedom between the lines. Slot has asked him to do similar at Liverpool, but the speed and physicality of the Premier League have slowed his impact.
“He has a lot of attributes, you know… playmaking, dribbling, and he’s consistent.” — Jeremie Frimpong, Liverpool Player Portraits
Liverpool icons inspire Frimpong
The right-back also revealed the Liverpool legends he admired while growing up in Manchester, recalling evenings spent watching LFC TV because of his brother. “And I really liked [Luis] Suarez, Fernando Torres. Robbie Fowler, Ian Rush,” he said.
Those names represent the ruthless attacking edge Liverpool supporters demand. For now, Wirtz must find his rhythm and confidence if he is to join that lineage of players who made the difference in the final third.
Florian Wirtz 2025/26 stats so far
| Stat (2025/26) | Florian Wirtz |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 8 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 1 (Community Shield) |
| Premier League goal contributions | 0 |
source: sofascore match data – 29 September 2025
The numbers highlight his slow start. For a £116m player, expectations are naturally high, but Frimpong insists form is temporary and quality permanent.
Analyst verdict – John William
FootballPlace analyst John William believes patience is key. “It’s not unusual for Bundesliga imports to need time. Kai Havertz struggled at Chelsea before finding his level, and Wirtz is experiencing something similar. The difference is Liverpool invested £116m, so every performance is magnified.”
He added: “Slot has already proven adaptable tactically, and Wirtz’s intelligence means it is only a matter of time before he clicks. Liverpool fans should remember that consistency Frimpong speaks of was no illusion — he dominated week after week in Germany.”
Key insights
- Jeremie Frimpong has backed Florian Wirtz despite slow start at Liverpool.
- Wirtz cost a club-record £116m but has 0 Premier League goal contributions so far.
- Frimpong praised his playmaking, dribbling, and consistency.
- Liverpool lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace, their first defeat of the season.
- Slot’s rebuild is still bedding in after £300m summer spend.
What’s next for Wirtz and Liverpool?
Liverpool face Chelsea on 4 October — a perfect chance for Wirtz to silence critics with a big-game performance. Slot will need his creativity to unlock tight defences in a demanding month that also features Champions League fixtures.
For Wirtz, the message is simple: trust the process, trust his ability, and translate Bundesliga brilliance into Premier League dominance. With Frimpong in his corner, his breakthrough may come sooner rather than later.
👉 Do you think Florian Wirtz will silence his critics in the coming weeks and prove his £116m price tag justified?
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