Overview

• Germany’s media delivered harsh reviews of Florian Wirtz despite his free-kick goal against Northern Ireland, following criticism after a 2-0 loss to Slovakia.
• Uli Hoeneß said Bayern admired Wirtz but would not pay a reported €150m valuation, framing Liverpool’s initial £100m deal with up to £16m in add-ons as beyond Bayern’s limit.
• Wirtz has yet to register a Premier League goal or assist and has not completed a full 90 minutes for Liverpool, after an assist on his competitive debut in the Community Shield.
• Outlets including Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung and Süddeutscher Verlag questioned his decision-making and technique, saying he has ‘forgotten his joy of playing’ and at times plays too individually.
• Liverpool reporting notes Wirtz’s fee has since been eclipsed by the club’s £125m move for Alexander Isak, while also challenging Bayern’s pricing stance by pointing to their own big outlays.