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German Media and Coaches Defend Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz After Stark Premier League Start

High-profile voices now argue his quiet start reflects team dysfunction, not a lack of quality.

Overview

  • Wirtz remains without a goal or assist in his first 11 Premier League matches after a summer move reported at up to about £116m.
  • Following Liverpool’s 3-0 loss at Manchester City, Gary Neville said Wirtz “looked like a little boy” and needed to “stand up soon.”
  • BILD journalist Axel Hesse defended the 22-year-old, saying rival ex-Manchester United players were driving criticism and claiming Wirtz has created 16 Champions League chances alongside Kylian Mbappé.
  • Liverpool manager Arne Slot publicly backed Wirtz and dismissed outside commentary as opinion, insisting he will not let others dictate football decisions.
  • Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann supported the player’s case by pointing to Liverpool’s misfiring attack, with the league champions sitting eighth and eight points off Arsenal entering the international break.