Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has made headlines with a bold claim: Liverpool, he says, regret their £116m summer signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen and would jump at the chance to get a full refund. The assertion, made during a Sky Bet interview, has raised eyebrows, especially given Wirtz’s performances and the context of his integration into the Premier League. But does Lescott’s claim hold water, or is it just another case of a pundit stirring the pot? Let’s break it down.
Lescott’s Claim: A Refund for Wirtz?
Wirtz, who became the most expensive signing in British football history (albeit briefly), was brought to Anfield to fill the coveted No. 10 role, displacing Dominik Szoboszlai. The 22-year-old German playmaker was expected to bring creativity and flair to Liverpool’s attack, but Lescott argues that Wirtz has failed to deliver. “I’m not convinced,” Lescott told Sky Bet. “If Liverpool could get their money back at the end of the season, they would do it.”
Lescott points to Wirtz’s lack of direct goal contributions as evidence. Despite an assist in the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace, Wirtz has yet to register a goal or assist in nine appearances across the Premier League and Champions League. Lescott singled out Liverpool’s match against Burnley, suggesting that an attacking player of Wirtz’s caliber should have made a decisive impact. “If you’re an attacking player, forget the fee, and we need a goal, I shouldn’t be taking you off,” he said. “I would have liked to have seen something that would make me go, ‘Right, good, I’m gonna see that again.’ There haven’t been enough of those moments yet.”
The Reality: Wirtz’s Performances Under the Microscope
At first glance, Lescott’s criticism might seem reasonable—after all, a £116m price tag carries enormous expectations. However, those who have watched Wirtz closely this season would argue that the numbers don’t tell the full story. Wirtz has shown flashes of brilliance, creating numerous scoring opportunities for his teammates. The problem? His teammates have often failed to convert.
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Video evidence from Liverpool’s matches highlights Wirtz’s ability to unlock defenses with incisive passes and clever movement. In games against Tottenham and Manchester United, for instance, Wirtz delivered pinpoint passes that should have resulted in goals, only for strikers to miss clear-cut chances. Similarly, during Germany’s recent international matches, Wirtz’s playmaking was evident, but his teammates’ lack of clinical finishing left him without the assists his performances deserved. If anything, Wirtz has been let down by those around him, not the other way around.
Lescott’s Track Record of Questionable Claims
This isn’t the first time Lescott has made headlines with a head-scratching opinion. Just days ago, he took aim at Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres, claiming the Gunners can’t win the Premier League with the Swedish striker leading the line—despite Arsenal sitting top of the table. The common thread? Lescott’s former club, Manchester City, happens to be in the title race alongside Liverpool and Arsenal. It’s hard to ignore the possibility that Lescott’s comments are colored by bias, especially when they conveniently cast doubt on City’s main rivals.
Lescott’s claim about Wirtz feels particularly off-base when you consider the context. Wirtz is a young player adapting to a new league, a new team, and the intense scrutiny that comes with a nine-figure transfer fee. Historically, even the best players—think Thierry Henry or Dennis Bergkamp—needed time to settle into the Premier League. Wirtz’s underlying metrics, such as key passes and successful dribbles, suggest he’s far from a flop. In fact, his expected assists (xA) rank among the highest in the squad, further evidence that his lack of direct contributions is more about his teammates’ finishing than his own shortcomings.
Why Liverpool Won’t Be Asking for a Refund
The idea that Liverpool would accept a refund for Wirtz is, frankly, absurd. The club’s recruitment team, led by data-driven experts, scouted Wirtz extensively before making him their marquee signing. His performances at Bayer Leverkusen, where he was instrumental in their Bundesliga triumph, showcased his potential to be a generational talent. Liverpool knew they were investing in a player for the long haul, not a quick fix.
Moreover, Wirtz’s role in the team is already evolving. Manager Arne Slot has praised his work rate and versatility, noting that Wirtz’s ability to drop deep and link play has added a new dimension to Liverpool’s attack. While the goals and assists will undoubtedly come, Wirtz’s current contributions—creating space, drawing defenders, and initiating attacks—are invaluable to a team challenging on multiple fronts.
The Bigger Picture: Punditry or Provocation?
Lescott’s comments seem less about genuine analysis and more about generating headlines. His claim that Liverpool regret signing Wirtz ignores the bigger picture: a young player adapting to a new environment, surrounded by teammates who need to match his creativity with clinical finishing. Video evidence of Wirtz’s performances proves he’s far from a dud—his vision and technical ability are already shining through, even if the stats don’t yet reflect it.
As for Lescott’s motives, it’s worth noting that his former club, Manchester City, stand to benefit if Liverpool and Arsenal are painted as flawed contenders. Whether intentional or not, his remarks feel like a subtle attempt to undermine City’s rivals. Liverpool fans, however, will take solace in the fact that Wirtz’s talent is undeniable, and with time, he’s likely to prove Lescott spectacularly wrong.
In conclusion, the notion that Liverpool regret signing Florian Wirtz is nothing short of nonsense. The young German is already showing why he’s worth every penny of that £116m fee. Lescott might want to rewatch the tapes before making his next bold claim.