Overview

• Liverpool’s club-record signing is without a goal or assist in six Premier League appearances since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen.
• Germany greats Oliver Kahn and Rudi Voller urged Liverpool to give Wirtz time, describing his issues as normal adaptation to a tougher league.
• Vladimir Smicer said the 22-year-old must meet the Premier League’s physical demands, citing a bruising outing against Newcastle as a wake-up.
• Wayne Rooney argued heavy competition and system fit are factors limiting Wirtz’s impact, suggesting Dominik Szoboszlai currently suits the No 10 role better.
• Peter Crouch recalled needing 18 games to score for Liverpool and backed Wirtz’s quality, while former coaches hailed his elite potential and stated his long-held Ballon d’Or ambition.