Is Florian Wirtz, the £116 million Liverpool signing, already a bust? His recent performance for Germany against Luxembourg has fans and critics alike seriously worried. He was supposed to be the spark, the creative genius, but instead, some are calling him 'sleepy' and questioning his hefty price tag. But here's where it gets controversial: is it all his fault, or are there other factors at play?
This article was written by Dan, a seasoned sports journalist with GiveMeSport since November 2025. Dan brings a wealth of experience from six years at the Daily Mail, along with contributions to Reach PLC and GRV Media. A graduate of Bournemouth University with a Multimedia Journalism degree and NCTJ qualifications earned in 2019, Dan even shares his expertise as a part-time lecturer, teaching aspiring reporters fundamental and advanced journalism skills since 2023. While football is his forte, Dan's equally comfortable covering Formula 1, tennis, rugby, and golf.
Wirtz desperately needed a confidence boost after a rocky start at Liverpool. Instead, the World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg delivered another dose of disappointment. Starting for Germany, he seemed to drift through the match, failing to make a significant impact – a familiar sight for Liverpool fans. His arrival at Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen was met with huge expectations, fueled by that massive £116 million transfer fee. Yet, he hasn't lived up to the hype, not even close. The Premier League's relentless pace appears to be overwhelming him, leading some to describe him as a man trying to navigate a busy highway on foot.
Earlier in the week, Germany's coach, Julian Nagelsmann, defended Wirtz, despite the player's failure to score or assist in the Premier League. Nagelsmann pointed fingers at Liverpool's struggling attack. But Wirtz's performance against Luxembourg raises serious questions. And this is the part most people miss: even away from Liverpool's system, he couldn't find his spark.
The dynamic playmaker who spearheaded Xabi Alonso's title-winning Bayer Leverkusen team seems a distant memory, at least for now. Wirtz currently appears a shadow of his former self, only showing glimpses of his talent with occasional impressive touches. Nagelsmann kept him on the field for the entire match, hoping for a breakthrough, but it never came. Instead, Nick Woltemade stole the show with two goals.
Wirtz did manage a clever dummy that led to a wasted opportunity by Ridle Baku, and he delivered a superb crossfield pass. However, these were practically the only highlights of his performance, aside from a few hopeful shots on goal. He constantly sought the ball and tried to keep the game moving, but he failed to pose a genuine threat. His statistics reveal four shots (two on target), five crosses (none finding their target), and an 82% passing accuracy, overshadowed by losing possession 19 times.
It's crucial to differentiate between his struggles for Liverpool and Germany. While his performances for Liverpool have been below expectations, he has still shown flashes of potential. He ranks highly in passes attempted, progressive passes, and shot-creating actions, and has impressed the Anfield crowd with moments of brilliance. But there's a glaring issue: his physicality. This is a potential point of contention: some might argue that physicality isn't as crucial for a creative midfielder. He's been easily pushed around during games, raising concerns about his strength. Against Luxembourg, he appeared fragile, which must worry Nagelsmann, especially considering his prior vocal support for the player.
Fans didn't hold back in their assessment of Wirtz's performance. Despite a decent pass that contributed to Germany's second goal, the overall verdict was harsh. One fan questioned his enormous price tag, asking, "How is Florian Wirtz a £100m+ player?" Another expressed shock at his poor decision-making: "What happened to Florian Wirtz, man... He’s so slow in making that final pass." One comment was particularly brutal, suggesting Wirtz had become a "3rd division player" after joining Liverpool. Another pointed out his lack of goals or assists. But perhaps the most damning assessment came from a fan who called Wirtz "sleepy," adding, "There will always be the sleepy Wirtz, incredible how he can't shoulder the responsibility."
This is where your opinion matters! Is Wirtz simply struggling to adapt to a new league and system, or is there a deeper issue affecting his performance? Could it be the pressure of the price tag, or is he genuinely not living up to the hype? What do you think Liverpool should do? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
