Micah Richards says it’s clear why Florian Wirtz is struggling at Liverpool right now captures the latest debate surrounding Liverpool’s £116 million signing. The German midfielder arrived with huge expectations after starring for Bayer Leverkusen but has so far endured a stop-start beginning to life in England.
Wirtz registered an assist within four minutes of his debut in the Community Shield, but in the Premier League he has been less effective. Calls even emerged for Arne Slot to drop him ahead of Sunday’s 1-0 win at Burnley, where Mohamed Salah’s 95th-minute penalty sealed the points. Despite some bright moments, scrutiny of Wirtz’s performances has intensified.
Richards: “It’s not clicking yet”
Discussing Liverpool’s win on The Rest Is Football podcast, former defender Micah Richards admitted he has been surprised by Wirtz’s slow start but pinpointed why he is finding it difficult to adapt.
“In midfield, with Wirtz, at this moment in time, it’s not clicking. It will come good because he’s that good of a player. When you spend £100m plus on a player, you expect it straight away. He’s very tidy, but he’s finding it harder than I thought he would. If you look at Liverpool in previous years when they’ve been successful, high-energy midfield — he slows it down a little bit. Once he starts firing, they’ll be even better.” — Micah Richards
Richards believes Liverpool’s traditional engine-room intensity is clashing with Wirtz’s natural game, which is more measured and creative.
Molby backs Wirtz to come good
Reds legend Jan Molby has also urged patience, describing criticism of the 22-year-old as “unfair.” Molby echoed Richards’ sentiment that Wirtz simply needs time to adjust to the Premier League’s tempo and physicality.
The midfielder showed flashes of brilliance for Germany during the international break, excelling against Northern Ireland, and produced his best 45 minutes in a Liverpool shirt after half-time in the 1-0 win against Arsenal. Those moments suggest the quality is there, even if consistency is lacking.
How did Wirtz fare against Burnley?
Despite criticism, Wirtz’s numbers against Burnley revealed promise. He was heavily involved in possession, created chances and contributed to Liverpool’s attacking rhythm.
Florian Wirtz vs Burnley – Premier League (Fotmob)
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Touches | 82 |
| Shots | 3 |
| Pass Accuracy | 79% |
| Chances Created | 4 |
| Cross Accuracy | 33% |
| Long Ball Accuracy | 100% |
| Ground Duels Won | 33% |
| Aerial Duels Won | 25% |
source: Fotmob – 14 September 2025
The glaring weakness lies in duels. Winning just 30% of contested battles highlights an adjustment issue with the physical side of the league. Strengthening this part of his game will be vital if he is to influence matches consistently.
Analyst verdict – by John William
Wirtz’s Liverpool story is still in its infancy. His creativity and intelligence are evident, but the Premier League demands intensity without the ball as well as quality with it. Richards is right — he currently slows down transitions that were once Liverpool’s hallmark.
The solution is patience and adaptation. Slot may need to adjust his role, giving him freedom in games where Liverpool dominate possession while rotating him out when defensive intensity is paramount. If Wirtz can add physical resilience and off-ball aggression to his skillset, he has the talent to become a transformational player.
Key insights
- Richards says Wirtz “slows down” Liverpool’s midfield compared to previous high-energy setups.
- Molby calls criticism “unfair” and backs him to adapt.
- Wirtz’s numbers vs Burnley: 82 touches, 4 chances created, 79% pass accuracy.
- Weakness in duels (30% won) remains a major concern.
- Patience and tactical adaptation could unlock his full potential.
What’s next for Wirtz?
Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid offers another test of whether Slot will trust Wirtz from the start. With Everton awaiting in the Merseyside Derby at the weekend, the German will need to show he can handle the intensity of English football’s biggest occasions.
The early struggles are clear, but so too is the talent. If Liverpool supporters can endure a slow burn, Wirtz may yet reward their patience in spectacular fashion.
👉 Will Florian Wirtz adapt quickly enough to justify his £116m fee — or does Slot need to manage him more cautiously?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 15 Sep 2025 10:37
Flop! You can say whatever you want, but Wirtz is not the only Bundesliga player that struggles in the League, I mean Gittens Is nowhere near the level that Wirtz was last season, but it just doesn't seems to be working right now. Liverpool bought him to unleash their attackers, but instead he's doing worst! Why did they sell Elliot...
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *