Florian Wirtz is no longer Liverpool’s question mark. The German playmaker has flipped the narrative around his slow start to life at Anfield, emerging as a decisive figure as Arne Slot’s side rediscover rhythm and attacking authority heading into the decisive stretch of the season.
The £100 million summer signing had been under intense scrutiny after a difficult autumn, punctuated by a bruising defeat at Manchester City where his influence was minimal and doubts around his physical readiness for the Premier League grew louder. Critics questioned his role, his strength, and whether Liverpool had bought a luxury player rather than a necessity.
Those concerns peaked after the 3-0 loss at the Etihad, a result that effectively derailed Liverpool’s early title ambitions. Wirtz managed just two off-target shots, created no chances, and endured a quiet afternoon as City dictated the contest. Former players were unforgiving, with pundits highlighting his lack of impact and suitability for Slot’s system.
Context, however, has since reframed that period. Liverpool’s broader struggles exposed defensive fragility and attacking bluntness that extended well beyond one individual. Injuries, tactical adjustments, and a demanding fixture list forced Slot into compromise, often pushing Wirtz away from his preferred central role.
As the calendar turned toward December, subtle changes began to tell. A tailored fitness programme improved Wirtz’s stamina and strength, allowing him to complete 90 minutes regularly and maintain intensity late into matches. His deflected strike against Sunderland offered a glimpse of growing confidence, even if results remained inconsistent.
The shift became unmistakable over the festive period. Whether drifting in from the left or operating between the lines as a number ten, Wirtz started to impose himself on games. His movement sharpened, his decision-making quickened, and comparisons to Liverpool greats began to surface, not as hyperbole, but as recognition of style and influence.
Matches followed a familiar pattern. Liverpool’s tempo increased when Wirtz found pockets of space, linking midfield and attack with one-touch passes and clever angles. The crowd responded as he demanded the ball, dictating play rather than reacting to it.
Key moments soon followed. A perfectly weighted through-ball for Alexander Isak in the 2-1 win at Tottenham finally translated creativity into tangible reward. Days later, his first Liverpool goal against Wolves broke a personal drought that had weighed heavily on his early months in England.
The second half of the season has since belonged to him. Wirtz’s understanding with Hugo Ekitike has become one of the league’s most productive partnerships, combining vision and movement to devastating effect. Six goals in his last 10 appearances across all competitions underline a player growing into responsibility rather than shrinking from it.
Late in games, where he once faded, Wirtz now thrives. His composure in crowded areas and ability to find space under pressure have turned tight contests in Liverpool’s favour, most recently capped by a goal and assist display against Newcastle that earned widespread acclaim.
The result is a Liverpool side with renewed attacking clarity and a player finally judged on performance rather than price. With key fixtures approaching and momentum firmly on their side, Wirtz’s rise has come at the perfect moment.
What began as a test of patience has become a statement of belief. Liverpool are no longer waiting for Florian Wirtz to arrive. He is here, shaping their present and defining their future.
