Is It Time for Liverpool to Rethink Wirtz's Role?

Since his Premier League arrival, Rayan Cherki has racked up 16 more goal contributions than Florian Wirtz, leading to some tough questions for Liverpool. At the close of the 2024-25 season, Liverpool boss Arne Slot took a trip to the south of France to discuss a potential move for Cherki. While Cherki was on the radar, the primary target was Wirtz, who was also pursued by Bayern Munich and Manchester City. Wirtz's preference for Anfield made the £116 million transfer a mere formality, and initially, it felt like a significant win for Liverpool. Fast forward a year, and things still aren’t quite working out. In 56 appearances for the Reds, Wirtz has netted seven goals and provided 11 assists, yet shockingly, he’s failed to contribute against any of the top-10 teams in the league last season. This season, he has started every game in both the league and the Champions League, but has managed just one assist in seven outings. His struggles were highlighted during Sunday’s clash with Manchester City, where new manager Andoni Iraola substituted Wirtz for Trey Nyoni in the 66th minute, soon after Ryan Gravenberch's red card. At just 23, Wirtz is still young, but so is Cherki, who cemented his reputation with a stunning goal in City's 3-0 triumph at Anfield. Cherki was signed for a mere £30 million from Lyon, yet he’s already tallied 16 goals and 18 assists in just 65 appearances. Liverpool fans are still waiting for Wirtz to deliver those game-changing moments. Former Liverpool defender Steven Warnock commented on BBC Radio 5 Live, saying, "Wirtz has immense talent, but he doesn’t hurt teams. He tends to drift in and out of games, which is concerning." After the Manchester City defeat, Jamie Carragher echoed those sentiments, suggesting it might be time for Wirtz to sit out. "He hasn't been impactful enough. We brought him in to create chances, and right now he's not delivering defensively or offensively," Carragher noted on Sky Sports. With a packed schedule ahead, dropping Wirtz could be a bold move for Iraola. With Gravenberch unavailable for Saturday's match against Brentford, he might just opt for Nyoni in the Champions League clash against LASK. Wirtz is still adapting to the Premier League's intensity, but he did shine against Atletico Madrid earlier this season, nearly assisting a goal. When asked if he believes Wirtz needs more time, Iraola defended him, stating, "He may not have been at his best the other day, but he has shown promise this season. It's about the collective effort, not just individual performances." Jurgen Klopp recently highlighted Wirtz's potential, saying, "Attacking players thrive with a functioning team around them. Florian is still an outstanding talent." Steven Gerrard also expressed his belief in Wirtz, emphasizing that he needs support during this challenging phase. Last season, Wirtz created 95 chances from open play, showcasing his talent, but moments of brilliance have been sparse this season. During the match against City, he made a poor choice by shooting when he had teammates in better positions. In August, Wirtz spoke about feeling more prepared for his second season at Liverpool, emphasizing the importance of physicality. "I've learned a lot about Premier League football and feel more ready now," he stated then. Despite a promising pre-season, Wirtz must start producing results quickly, or Iraola could face a tough decision regarding his role in the squad.