Florian Wirtz, Liverpool’s blockbuster $157 million (£116 million) signing from Bayer Leverkusen, is poised to shine under manager Arne Slot, despite a slow start at Anfield. The 22-year-old German attacking midfielder, hailed as a “diamond” by former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given, has yet to register a goal or assist since his high-profile summer move. However, recent performances and endorsements from footballing luminaries suggest that Wirtz is on the cusp of showcasing his immense potential in the Premier League.
Wirtz’s transition to English football has been gradual, but his cameo against Chelsea, where he came off the bench at half-time, offered glimpses of his quality. Speaking on Premier League Productions, Given expressed confidence in the young star’s ability to turn things around. “Wirtz, I do like Wirtz, he’s getting a lot of stick at the minute, but there’s a diamond in there,” Given said. “I think he will be a top player for years to come.” The former goalkeeper also noted that Wirtz’s lack of a full pre-season, similar to teammate Alexander Isak, may have contributed to his slow start, but he remains optimistic about the midfielder’s future contributions.
The eye test supports Given’s assessment, with Wirtz showing signs of improvement in recent fixtures. As Isak and Mohamed Salah find their form, and as chemistry develops among the trio, Wirtz’s impact is expected to grow. His work rate and energy, both on and off the pitch, have also been praised by German national team teammate David Raum. “The boy is hard-working, shows energy on and off the pitch,” Raum said during a recent international break. “He was one of the players on the pitch the longest again today. We believe in the boy, and we’re building him up here. But he knows what he’s capable of.”
Wirtz’s potential has not gone unnoticed by German football legends Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm, both of whom have backed the young star to succeed at Liverpool. Speaking to RTL, Schweinsteiger emphasized the need for patience as Wirtz adapts to the Premier League’s intensity. “We have to give the players a bit of time,” he said. “Especially when you move from the Bundesliga to the Premier League, you also have to adjust a bit. I’ve experienced that myself. He will delight us all in the future. Florian Wirtz is a fantastic footballer, a great character. We should be happy that we have such a player in Germany.”
Lahm echoed Schweinsteiger’s sentiments, highlighting Wirtz’s ability to elevate those around him. “I’m not worried about Florian Wirtz at all because he’s such an outstanding, brilliant player who simply makes his teammates better,” Lahm said. “Quality and class always prevail, and that will absolutely be the case with Florian Wirtz.”
Behind the scenes, Wirtz is reportedly working tirelessly to improve his fitness and adapt to the physical demands of English football. His dedication, combined with the support of his teammates and coaching staff, positions him well to ignite under Slot’s guidance. As Liverpool continues to compete on multiple fronts, including the Premier League and European competitions, Wirtz’s emergence could prove pivotal in their pursuit of silverware.
With endorsements from some of football’s biggest names and a clear upward trajectory, the $157 million ace is ready to justify his price tag. Liverpool fans can look forward to seeing their “diamond” shine brightly in the coming months, as Wirtz aims to cement his place as one of the Premier League’s elite talents.