English Media Criticize Wirtz After Tough Outing Against Newcastle
Florian Wirtz’s display in Liverpool’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Newcastle on Monday night has drawn significant attention from the English press. The German midfielder, who became the Premier League’s most expensive signing after his move from Bayer Leverkusen this summer, is under immense scrutiny.
After an underwhelming debut against Bournemouth at Anfield nine days earlier, Wirtz was handed a starting spot at St James’ Park — a notoriously challenging away ground — and media reactions to his performance have been largely negative.
Media Break Down Wirtz’s Struggles
Operating in the number 10 role, Wirtz struggled to influence the match. Despite completing 96% of his passes, none led to meaningful opportunities for Liverpool. He managed only a single weak shot on goal and had little impact in midfield, winning just 3 of his 10 duels. He lost the ball seven times, conceded two fouls, and was responsible for a mistake that resulted in a Newcastle chance before being substituted in the 80th minute.
GIVEMESPORT rated his performance a disappointing 4/10, commenting that Wirtz was “far too weak in his duels” and couldn’t cope with the physicality of Newcastle’s midfield.
Other outlets echoed this view. The Daily Mail was slightly more lenient with a 5.5/10, stating his first few weeks in English football could be summed up as “more to come.” GOAL remarked that, while Wirtz showed brief flashes of quality, fans would rightly expect more from Liverpool’s record signing.
The Express noted that Wirtz’s display fell short of what he’d previously shown against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, labeling him a “passenger” in the second half. Football Insider added that the former Leverkusen star failed to bring either creativity or clinical edge, especially in contrast to Gakpo and Ekitike.
The Times offered a more reflective take, describing how Wirtz appeared lost at times, either watching the ball sail over his head or struggling to find space in a frenetic, high-stakes contest. They concluded that while it was a rough night, the experience might ultimately prove valuable for the 22-year-old.
Wirtz’s next challenge won’t be any easier. Liverpool face reigning champions Arsenal at Anfield on matchday three — a clash already being billed as a possible early title decider.
Leave a Reply