Florian Wirtz faces Liverpool exit speculation amid reported agreement and mixed international outing
Florian Wirtz is still struggling to find his rhythm at Liverpool and had another inconsistent spell while on international duty with Germany. As Liverpool prepare to face Manchester United on Sunday, the midfielder will be desperate to prove his worth.
Despite showing glimpses of promise during pre-season and assisting in the Community Shield defeat, his form has since dipped. Wirtz is yet to register a goal contribution in the Premier League and continues to face mounting criticism for his performances.
Mirror Football examined his recent international break, where he faced scrutiny both on and off the pitch — including transfer speculation and criticism from fans.
Wirtz has only been at Anfield for a few months, yet disappointing displays have already led to rumours of a possible loan exit. Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit claimed that Xabi Alonso has urged Real Madrid to monitor Wirtz with a view to a January loan move, citing Alonso’s admiration for the player’s talent. Petit added that Wirtz remains confident and calm, believing his true quality will soon be evident, though he warned that failure to improve could intensify the pressure.
While some have questioned his ability, several German football legends remain optimistic about his future. Germany’s national team director Rudi Völler praised Wirtz’s determination and work ethic, describing him as a player who gives everything on the pitch. Bastian Schweinsteiger echoed this sentiment, stressing that adapting from the Bundesliga to the Premier League takes time. Lothar Matthäus also defended Wirtz, saying early struggles are normal after a major move abroad and predicting he will eventually thrive in England.
However, Wirtz’s international outing against Northern Ireland didn’t help his image. During Germany’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying win, he was booed by home fans after a perceived dive in the penalty area. The crowd continued jeering him each time he touched the ball, adding to his difficult week.
Former Everton defender Joleon Lescott also questioned Wirtz’s impact, suggesting that if Liverpool could recover the £116 million paid to Bayer Leverkusen, they would likely take the deal. Lescott argued that an attacking player of Wirtz’s calibre should already have influenced at least one match, particularly pointing to the Burnley game as a missed opportunity to prove
his worth.