Florian Wirtz has struggled since joining Liverpool for £116m in the summer, but Micah Richards believes the midfielder will improve as the season progresses
Mika Richards believes Florian Wirtz’s physical characteristics and Bundesliga background are behind his difficult start to life at Liverpool. The Germany international recorded his first assist since the Community Shield in the 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.
The 22-year-old has come under scrutiny over his Premier League debut, with his struggles reflecting Liverpool’s disappointing season. Arne Slott’s side have suffered a severe downturn in fortunes since then, losing their last four league games and sitting seven points off the top of the table.
Wirtz has shown glimpses of his potential in England’s elite division, but the Reds have not been able to integrate new recruits smoothly, with Alexander Isak and Milos Kerkes also struggling to make an immediate impact. Saturday’s 3-2 reversal at Brentford added to the misery for the reigning Premier League champions.
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Dutch manager Slott is currently facing increasing pressure over his squad selection, but Richards believes the midfield is contributing to the woes following significant changes in the department. “From a tactical point of view, it’s the midfield area,” he said on the Rest is Football podcast.
“(Alexis) McAllister was their (defense) protection, (Ryan) Gravenbirch was their protection, (Dominik) Szoboszlai had the legs, but now it’s completely different. They have Curtis Jones. We’re trying to use a very good player, but he doesn’t have the defensive qualities of the other midfielders, Wirtz. We know he can be a good player, but he needs to find somewhere where he can excel.”
“If you’re a midfielder playing against Wirtz right now, you’re worried about what he can do on the ball. But off the ball, he’s small, he’s small, he’s not very strong, he’s from a different league, and that’s what we’re trying to expose and that’s what the team is doing now.”
“The energy in midfield is the reason Liverpool have been consistent.” For many England experts, the jury is still out on Wirtz, but many are keen to underline the caveat that he will ultimately deliver good results.
In Germany, even Liverpool’s iconic manager Jurgen Klopp has been staunchly protective of Wirths. The Premier League-winning tactician described the 22-year-old as a “once in a century” talent.
“His (Wirtz’s) qualifications are very good. The argument is a little exaggerated,” he said. “Liverpool have just lost three games in a row, which is unusual.
“But it’s also a normal thing in life. That’s why things like that are discussed there.”
“Now I’ve been in the middle of such discussions long enough to say this: Nothing interests people more than public debate.
“(Wirtz) is a once-in-a-century talent and, as he showed in Leverkusen, he will show it again in every game at some point.”
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