The German international completed a £116million move to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer
Florian Wirtz arrived at Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer but has struggled so far(Image: Getty Images)
Danny Murphy has detailed the reason he believes Florian Wirtz has struggled to show his best for Liverpool since his summer transfer. Liverpool spent £116 million to sign Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer.
Wirtz is yet to score or provide an assist for Liverpool since the Community Shield clash with Crystal Palace over two months ago, when he set up Hugo Ekitike for the opening goal at Wembley. He has been deployed as both a number 10 and on the wing, but his performances on Merseyside have sparked debate.
Speaking to Wetbasis, the former Liverpool midfielder Murphy said: “Talking about the Wirtz subject, one week he’s playing with Ekitike and one week he’s playing with Isak. The wide player doesn’t change on the right but it does a bit on the left.
READ MORE: Two players give Liverpool boost as Arne Slot faces familiar problem
OPINION
John Aldridge
“He’s also had a mixture of midfield partnerships behind him and when you’re a No. 10, you start building up relationships with the midfielders. Who’s going to give me the ball early, who can I trust and rely on to get me the ball early. If we talk about Wirtz for example.
“So he’s got to adapt to this amazing physicality of going to play in Newcastle, or playing against Arsenal, these two physically powerful teams and adapt really quickly.
“In addition to that, adapt to the expectations and pressure of the supporters and the media of what he is supposed to deliver. I’ve seen enough of the brilliant moments from Wirtz to not be concerned. The talent, the vision, the skill set he has is there for us all to see.
“I think his biggest issue is his adaptation to the speed of the Premier League and I know from personal experience, that only comes from playing. Getting your mind and your body used to that.”
Florian Wirtz has made a slow start to life at Liverpool(Image: Javier Garcia/Shutterstock)
Wirtz has created more chances than anyone else in the team and Murphy added: “I don’t think it’s a tactical or positional thing. I think he’s found himself in great positions many times.
“There’s a stat that came out the day before the weekend’s fixtures that in all competitions, he’s created more chances than anyone else. Even when you look at the Chelsea game, we’re not talking about Wirtz positively or Liverpool positively, but his first touch when he came on was this incredible pass to [Mohamed] Salah. Nine out of ten times, Salah scores that.
“Had he done that, Liverpool might have won the game and we would have been talking about Wirtz’s brilliance. Even against Everton, he put it on a plate for Salah who missed and for [Jeremie] Frimpong who kicked fresh air.”
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
£49
£35
Sky
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
For the latest news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @LivEchoLFC – the official Liverpool ECHO LFC Twitter account – for all the latest LFC news as it happens in real time.
We’re also on Facebook/LiverpoolEchoLFC – your must-see LFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.
Listen to our podcasts by searching for ‘Blood Red’ wherever you get your podcasts. Sign up for one of the Liverpool Echo’s free daily and weekly newsletters on Liverpool FC by clicking here.
The best LFC news, features, videos and podcasts
Nobody covers Liverpool Football Club in more detail than the ECHO. Our team of reporters follows the Reds home, away and abroad and we have seven days a week coverage of everything from the first team, to the women’s team and the Academy.
Here’s how you can get the best LFC news on every platform:
Download our premium LFC App for exclusive content and ad-free reading. Apple here and Android here.
Follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Our Blood Red brand is one of the top rated LFC podcasts. You can watch it on Youtube here or search Blood Red podcasts wherever you listen. We’re also on TikTok.
Join our WhatsApp community for breaking news directly to your phone as it happens and follow our WhatsApp channel for updates and the best pictures.
Subscribe to our newsletters here for all the news directly to your inbox.
Subscribe to Dave Powell’s Bottom Line newsletter for exclusive business of football news, features and interviews directly to your inbox.
Follow us on every platform here.