Florian Wirtz Liverpool Form Defended by Germany Boss Julian Nagelsmann After Slow Start
Florian Wirtz Liverpool form — Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has defended Florian Wirtz following criticism of the midfielder’s slow start at Liverpool, insisting that the £100m signing has been let down by the team’s poor finishing rather than his own performances.
Nagelsmann: “Liverpool Could Help Him Out”
Wirtz, who joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, is yet to register a goal or assist in 11 Premier League games. His lack of impact prompted criticism from pundits, with Gary Neville describing him as “a problem” after the Reds’ 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.
But Nagelsmann defended his player, saying Wirtz’s underlying numbers prove his quality: “Liverpool could also help him out by scoring some of the chances he creates. They somehow don’t like to shoot the ball in,” the Germany coach said.
Liverpool’s Poor Form a Factor
Nagelsmann pointed to Liverpool’s poor recent run — seven defeats in their last 10 games in all competitions — as a key factor behind Wirtz’s struggles to adapt. “The whole club isn’t as stable this year as it was last year,” he explained. “It’s much harder to slip into the team now. The overall situation doesn’t make it easy for Flo either.”
Adapting to the Premier League Takes Time
The 22-year-old midfielder has created 16 chances in the league so far, ranking 16th overall, with an Expected Assists (xA) of 1.19. Despite the lack of goals or assists, Nagelsmann insisted the underlying performance remains strong: “We all know what he’s capable of. It’s perfectly normal for a player of his age to go through a bit of a dip in form.”
He added, “We can’t expect him to perform at the same level for three years straight. He just needs more time to adapt to the pace and physicality of English football.”
Gary Neville’s Criticism and Liverpool’s Struggles
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was less forgiving after Wirtz’s performance against City, saying: “Wirtz looked like a little boy. His performance was a real worry.”
However, Nagelsmann countered that Wirtz’s creative influence was being undermined by Liverpool’s inefficiency in front of goal. “He creates plenty of chances, but the team must finish them. That’s part of the truth too,” the coach remarked.
Germany Boss Backs Wirtz to Shine Again
Nagelsmann ended with a vote of confidence: “We just need to support him so he can clear his head and get back to his best. He’s one of the most talented players in Europe — it’s only a matter of time before he starts producing again.”
Despite his current dip, Wirtz remains a key part of both Liverpool’s long-term plans and Germany’s Euro 2028 preparations, with both sides confident he will soon rediscover his form.
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