Overview
- Newcastle duo Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw publicly backed Wirtz on national-team duty, calling his performances active and predicting a breakthrough.
- Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann urged support for the 22-year-old and said perceptions would shift if Liverpool finished more of the chances he creates.
- Wirtz remains without a goal since his roughly €150 million move to Liverpool, yet Champions League data places him joint-top for chances created this season with 16.
- High-profile English pundits including Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville have criticized his impact, intensifying scrutiny of the record signing.
- Arsène Wenger suggested a misfit over Wirtz’s role at Liverpool, even as the club struggles in the league with an eighth-place standing reported this week.