Overview
- Gary Neville said Florian Wirtz “looked like a little boy” in Liverpool’s 3-0 loss at Manchester City and called him “a problem” who must stand up to the Premier League’s physical demands.
- Julian Nagelsmann publicly backed Wirtz, arguing the club’s lack of stability and teammates’ failure to convert his chances are key factors in his slow start.
- Wirtz has no Premier League goals or assists after 11 appearances since his summer move from Bayer Leverkusen for about £100m, potentially rising to £116m.
- Despite the barren output, Wirtz has created 16 chances in the league with an expected assists figure of about 1.19, with Arne Slot using him both centrally and recently on the left.
- Liverpool’s wider slump frames the scrutiny, with the champions eighth after 11 games and coming off a comprehensive defeat at the Etihad.