Florian Wirtz has admitted to struggling with the emotional and physical demands of his move to Liverpool, as the £116m signing from Bayer Leverkusen continues to adapt to life in the Premier League. The 22-year-old German playmaker, who joined in the summer, has shown only glimpses of his quality so far, with his performances in the Merseyside derby win against Everton highlighting the challenges he faces.
Wirtz, who was bought for a club record fee, has found it difficult to forge connections with his new teammates, a factor that has hindered his ability to influence games. Despite creating the second most chances in the league behind Bruno Fernandes, he has only managed three assists. The lack of continuity in the attacking lineup, due to form and injury issues, has prevented the telepathic relationships needed for his style of play.
In the derby, Everton’s James Garner tightly marked Wirtz, forcing him to drift into space but limiting his effectiveness. The German often wanted too much time on the ball, leading to dispossession, and was pushed off the ball regularly, highlighting the physicality of the Premier League compared to the Bundesliga. Manager Arne Slot substituted Wirtz with seven minutes remaining, keeping Mohamed Salah on the pitch as the veteran secured a late victory.
Wirtz’s statistics from the derby were promising—he topped the list for chances created, defensive-line-breaking passes, and successful passes in the final third—but they brought no tangible benefit. Slot acknowledged the need for improvement, as Liverpool rely heavily on veterans like Salah and Virgil van Dijk. The club’s summer recruitment, including fellow big-money signing Alexander Isak, has yet to fully deliver, leaving the team in a season of transition.
