Former Liverpool star makes judgement on Florian Wirtz after questionable start – Bundlezy

Former Liverpool star makes judgement on Florian Wirtz after questionable start

Liverpool v Bournemouth - Premier League
Will Florian Wirtz be a hit at Liverpool? (Picture: Getty Images)

Florian Wirtz has made an underwhelming start to life in the Premier League after his big-money move to Liverpool, but a former Reds striker likes what he has seen from him.

Arne Slot’s team has won two thrilling games from two in the top flight so far this season, beating Bournemouth 4-2 at Anfield and then Newcastle 3-2 at St James’ Park.

Wirtz was not involved in any of Liverpool’s seven goals, yet to register a goal or assist, and especially against Newcastle was quite anonymous despite his team having an extra man for more than half the match.

Clearly it is extremely early in his life in England since his move from Bayer Leverkusen, which could cost Liverpool up to £116m.

But far from worries about his performances, former Reds and England striker Emile Heskey is certain the German will prove to be a great signing.

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‘100 per cent,’ Heskey told Gambling.com on whether Wirtz will prove to be value for money. ‘Even in the games that I’ve seen, I’ve seen enough.

‘He is going to have to take his time, or, we have got to give him time, because coming into the Premier League – everyone forgets that it’s fast and furious. You come in from a different league where it’s very different, and then they have to speed up.

Newcastle United v Liverpool - Premier League
Wirtz had very little impact in the win over Newcastle on Monday night (Picture: Getty Images)

‘We are 100 miles an hour nearly all the time [in the Premier League]. We see it when we play in Europe, how we really trample over teams at times, because of the intensity that we play at. And then we expect players to come in and find that intensity straight away.

‘We’re probably one of the leagues where you can actually tackle still, where you’re allowed to tackle. So it’s dealing with that as well, people coming near you and actually tackling, and you’re not getting a free kick. You’ve got to figure all that out.

‘So I’ve seen enough that I like him. He reminds me a little bit of [Philippe] Coutinho, finding them little pockets and he’s very elegant on the ball. I like him a lot and I believe it will turn out to be a signing that is definitely value for money.’

Crystal Palace v Liverpool - 2025 FA Community Shield
Wirtz’s best performance so far came in the Community Shield (Picture: Getty Images)

Asked if Wirtz is someone he would like to play with himself, Heskey said: ‘Yeah, definitely, because you just make runs. There’s players that you play with and once they’re on the ball – just make a run. They know how to find you.

‘Stevie [Gerrard] was one. [Paul] Scholes, Lamps [Frank Lampard]. So players like that are fantastic.’

Reds legend Steve Nicol is not so sure on Wirtz being a hit and feels it could already be time for Slot to try a new position for him.

‘He may have to find a different spot for this guy,’ Nicol told ESPN. ‘Right now, he isn’t getting on the ball, which is what he was brought in to do, but from a defensive point of view there is no question that Liverpool are struggling big time.

Liverpool v Bournemouth - Premier League
Cody Gakpo has been in good form so far this season on the left wing for Liverpool (Picture: Getty Images)

‘So, he may have to move him out wide and use [Dominik] Szoboszlai, [Alexis] Mac Allister and [Ryan] Gravenberch as the midfield three, because right now the back four cannot defend as a unit.

‘So they might have to change the way they play, move Wirtz out to a wide area in my opinion, but then at the same time, [Cody] Gakpo doesn’t deserve to be dropped.

‘Are you going to drop Gakpo just because you’ve paid £100m for Florian Wirtz? It’s a tough decision.’

Liverpool are back in Premier League action on Sunday in a huge clash as they welcome Arsenal to Anfield.

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