It took until December for Wirtz to score his first Premier League goal for the Reds. Since then, his goal and assist contributions have been on the rise, but the playmaker’s performances are still lacking. Former player and pundit Craig Burley has urged Liverpool bosses to sign Werts while they still have the chance.
He said on ESPN FC: “Let’s stop fighting with Florian Wirths. We’re tired of it. What he did in Germany, he did in Germany. It’s over. He’s so light in this Liverpool team, it’s unbelievable. He lacks so much belief in the final third, it’s unbelievable.”
“If not the goal, then where is the pass? Where is that crazy run with the dribble that he did at Leverkusen, where he beat three or four[players]and scored with his shoulders down? Where is that?”
before adding: “He’ll eventually play his best football as a number 10. If not, Liverpool will have to sell him. So far this season he’s been a bit of a waste.”
But fellow former pro Jan Age Fjortoft pushed back against the idea that Wirtz should be fired. Instead, the Norwegian gave his full support to Wirtz and insisted that he would succeed in time.
He replied: “We more or less underestimate coming to Liverpool from your mum and dad’s house. It costs a lot of money. We always say these are machines, but they are weak human beings who go to a new country for their work.
“Will a new coach be able to develop him? To be honest, I don’t know if that’s the main problem. As for Xabi Alonso, if he gets a very successful player, of course it would be good for him, but I don’t think Arne Slott is Florian Wirth’s problem.”
Wirtz will be looking to steer Liverpool back on track for the Premier League when they welcome relegation-threatened Tottenham to Anfield on Sunday. Arne Slott’s side face a tough battle from now until the end of the season in order to finish in the Champions League.
