Florian Wirtz, he’s an enigma, that’s for sure, Liverpool are yet to see the best of the quick-footed German.
Signed from Bayer Leverkusen last summer for around £116m, the Reds’ expectations were much higher considering the dizzying investment.
Of course, Wirtz isn’t the only new signing to have struggled at Anfield, and while Alexander Isak has begun to rediscover his best form, the 23-year-old hasn’t received much of a boost since Andoni Illara arrived in the dugout.
While let’s not forget how good Wirtz performed in Germany, the lack of impact is starting to cause some concern.
Remember why Liverpool were willing to pay £116m for Wirtz
Liverpool’s seventh man has provided just one assist in four Premier League games this season and Wirtz contributed just eight goals in the top flight last year.
Such a record is well below what he achieved at Bayer Leverkusen, and the playmaker is certainly not the first Bundesliga import to struggle in English football.
Even so, his previous form suggests he’s worth hanging on to, and Wirtz has even been Expected to win the Ballon d’Or This was the result of his stunning performances in a Leverkusen shirt.
For example, in the 2024/25 season, he scored 10 goals and assisted 12 goals in the Bundesliga, and both indicators reached double digits last season.
In the 2023/24 season, then-coach Xavi Alonso led the club to an unbeaten record in the domestic league, defeating Bayern Munich and winning the first Bundesliga championship in history.
Troubled by injuries in the 2022/23 season, Wirtz made a comeback in that invincible season, scoring 8 goals and assisting 8 goals in just 8 starts in that year’s Europa League final.
Playing as the number ten on the left in Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 formation, the German was free to roam and wreak havoc, with his combination of precise finishing and innate creativity proving devastating.
His performance was a joy to watch, dynamic, dynamic and at the heart of everything good about this winning team. Liverpool will be hoping he can regain that form again, with FSG once again looking to be on the lookout for another big target in the Bundesliga.
How Liverpool can repeat Wirtz’s fate in 2027
The transfer window may have just ended, but Illaura’s squad are still in need of further reinforcements and January will provide the next chance to do so.
Midfield will be a key issue when 2027 arrives, with the Reds looking a bit weak in this area, having not signed a new senior midfielder since the summer of 2023.
Reports this week did suggest that talks have been held over a deal for Monaco’s Lamine Kamara, with the Senegalese star’s deadline day move to Chelsea falling through.
However, the 22-year-old is not the only option German report This suggests Liverpool are one of the clubs keeping a close eye on Borussia Dortmund powerhouse Felix Nmecha.
Manchester City, of whom Nmecha was once part of the academy, are also keeping a close eye on developments, with both Premier League rivals sending scouts to watch the 25-year-old in action.
|
Wirtz – Bundesliga record |
|
|---|---|
|
season |
Goals (Assists) |
|
24/25 |
10 (12) |
|
23/24 |
11 (11) |
|
22/23 |
1 (6) |
|
21/22 |
7 (10) |
|
20/21 |
5(5) |
|
19/20 |
1(0) |
There have been no offers or negotiations, although Dortmund appear to have made a bid for him, believed to be as much as €90m (£77m).
The German side appear willing to start talks if they receive a bid close to that figure, suggesting Liverpool or Manchester City may be hopeful of sealing a deal if they raise their interest.
A national teammate of Wirtz, Nmecha has actually been a bright spark for Germany in a difficult summer, with Julian Nagelsmann praising his potential to become “best player in the worldAs journalist Patrick Berger paraphrased, “In his place.
It must be noted that such praise is not without merit, as the elegant midfielder only recently scored a superb overhead kick against Paderborn in the Bundesliga.
He does look to be a better player than Wirtz in that league, and like Wirtz before him, he has scored twice in just three games so far this season.
Like Wirtz, where Nmecha particularly excels is his dribbling ability, with him averaging 1.1 successful dribbles per game in the 2025/26 season, which is a good record for a midfielder. For context, Wirtz led the Premier League in goals per game last season by just 1.2 goals.
Nmecha is a versatile and versatile player who can play as a number six, eight or even a number 10 if required and is likely to prove himself a truly formidable presence in Illaura’s midfield unit.
Of course, the concern is whether he can thrive away from Germany, however, like Wirtz, his sky-high ceiling suggests he’s worth the investment.