Overview
- Gary Neville said Florian Wirtz "looked like a little boy" at the Etihad and urged Liverpool to stop "tiptoeing around" his struggles.
- The Germany international has no Premier League goals or assists in 11 appearances despite his record‑fee move from Bayer Leverkusen.
- Arne Slot has recently stationed Wirtz on the left and adjusted Dominik Szoboszlai's role, decisions shaped in part by full‑back injuries.
- Wirtz delivered one of his best displays in the Champions League against Real Madrid, creating a game‑high five chances and lauding the Anfield backing.
- Inside and outside the club, calls for patience counter harsher takes: Slot rejected Arsène Wenger’s midfield claim, Szoboszlai urged collective solutions, Julian Nagelsmann noted teammates must finish Wirtz’s chances, and Wesley Sneijder warned he must adapt quickly.