Overview

• Signed from Bayer Leverkusen for about €140–150 million in the summer, Florian Wirtz has yet to score for Liverpool and has one assist across roughly ten competitive matches.
• Wirtz came on at half-time in Liverpool’s 2–1 home defeat to Chelsea and drew praise in English outlets for a standout pass to Mohamed Salah, though the chance was missed and the match was lost in stoppage time.
• Liverpool’s downturn has deepened with a 0–1 loss at Galatasaray preceding the Chelsea defeat, leading to increased pressure as Arsenal moved a point ahead in the league.
• Wayne Rooney argued Wirtz is disrupting Liverpool’s balance, and Jamie Carragher said the playmaker should be taken out of the side for now to restore stability.
• Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm publicly backed Wirtz’s quality and character, calling for time to adapt, with Germany’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers viewed as a platform to rebuild confidence.