Emmanuel Petit insists Florian Wirtz is not worth the £116m Liverpool agreed to pay Bayer Leverkusen for the Germany international
Florian Wirtz is yet to register a goal or an assist for Liverpool in the Premier League or Champions League. (Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz has endured a slow start to his Liverpool career since signing from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth up to £116m. The Germany international is yet to return a goal or assist in the Premier League, and has found himself on the bench for the Reds’ recent clashes with Everton and Chelsea.
The 22-year-old is facing increasing scrutiny outside of Anfield as a result, though a number of Germany legends have recently leapt to his defence amid criticism in England.
Given his transfer fee, which was a potential British record at the time before Liverpool signed Alexander Isak from Newcastle United in a £125m deal on transfer deadline day, such attention is no surprise.
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But former Arsenal and Chelsea star Emmanuel Petit insists Wirtz is not worth the fee the Reds paid for the German. And given his start to his Anfield career, believes the playmaker would admit the same too.
The Premier League is a different challenge to the Bundesliga,” the World Cup winner said when speaking to Boyle Sports, who offer the latest football betting odds. “Leverkusen often counter-attacked, giving him space to perform. Liverpool dominate opponents, so the tactics are different.
“Florian Wirtz is coming to a new culture and environment with significant pressure. Honestly, I don’t believe he’s worth the transfer fee, despite the respect I have for him as a player.
“I think some players suffer because of the deals between clubs. If you asked him, he’d probably say he isn’t worth that money, but it’s the reality.
“He arrives at Liverpool with this price tag and has to deliver from the first game. Can you imagine the pressure? But that’s how it is, he has to stand up and meet expectations.
“I understand it will take time for him to adapt his style to the Premier League. He’s talented, so I believe he will succeed, but he’ll need more games and a better understanding with his teammates.
“The Premier League is not the Bundesliga, and Liverpool plays differently than Leverkusen.”
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While Petit might be confident that Wirtz will overcome his slow start and come good for Liverpool, former Man City and Everton star Joleon Lescott recently claimed he believed that the Reds would already happily sell the German if they would get their money back.
“I’m not convinced,” said Lescott, speaking on In The Mixer, brought to you by Sky Bet. “If Liverpool could get their money back at the end of the season, they would do it.
“Listen, we can’t judge him solely on the games that he’s played in, but he should have had an impact on one of those games. And for me, it was the Burnley game.
“I’m like, if you’re an attacking player, forget the fee and we need a goal, I shouldn’t be taking you off. You should be the guy that then hopefully creates the opportunity.
“I think I should have seen something that would make me go, ‘Right, good, I’m gonna see that again.’ Just like a moment in a game. I would have liked to have seen that by now and know that it was coming. There haven’t been enough of them moments yet.”
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