Germany’s Florian Wirtz has become the centre of attention following his great performance against Serbia on Thursday. His goal has been shared widely, and his technique – in which he set up the ball with a backheel, evading the onrushing defender before taking the shot – was admired by football fans around the world.
After all, this is what Bundesliga viewers have come to expect from the talented German. His time at Bayer Leverkusen was marked by incredible highs, resulting in the team winning the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal but, after moving to Liverpool for €125m in summer 2025, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder hasn’t been able to replicate his Bundesliga form in England’s Premier League.
Wirtz has often been criticised for not living up to expectations and not justifying his price tag at Anfield. During his first season, the team struggled and endured an underwhelming campaign, finishing fifth in the league and winning zero trophies. For that reason, people understood why his first full campaign was difficult. This season, however, Wirtz – who has only returned one assist in 404 top flight minutes – has failed to impress in Andoni Iraola’s side, who are yet to lose a game.
When asked about the form of Wirtz before the international break, Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola said: “He should be judged like everybody. Like, if he plays well, if he doesn’t play well, I always say, ‘How does the team play when you are on the pitch?’
“I rate Florian highly; he understands what we need from him, and he is trying to help in every aspect of the game,” the Spanish coach added.
After Thursday’s game, Jürgen Klopp praised Wirtz’s performance: “The way we want to play suits Wirtz. I think everyone in Liverpool is very happy today. The boy is brimming with joy in his play and has worked incredibly hard.”
Wirtz also stated that he was happy with the game and that his teammates have helped him play better. “It was incredibly enjoyable. I think every single player gave everything on the pitch today and followed the game plan. We got almost everything right today. Wearing the captain’s armband is something special. It makes you proud. I just tried to give everything I had on the pitch. The players around me also made it very easy for me today. There was a lot of movement in our game, and we were all eager to play football. That makes it easier to shine,” he stated.
Can Wirtz replicate his Germany form at club level?
The question now remains whether Wirtz can take his national team form to club level. One reason for the problem can be his teammates, who have been the difference in performance at club and national team level. Wirtz has been able to play with players who provide important passing options and runs that helped him thrive. While this remains true, there can be another explanation, which is evidenced by Wirtz’s unforced errors and lack of concentration at Liverpool, which can be a result of his inability to adapt to the physicality and demands of the Premier League.
Whichever is the reason for his difficulties at Anfield, this performance for the national team is expected to boost his confidence, which he really needs at the moment. And with Klopp, he has the right coach to get the best out of him.
