“You can never say never”: Liverpool’s summer recruit could be set for a January loan exit
Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has made a bold claim regarding Florian Wirtz’s future, hinting that the club’s record signing could be loaned to Real Madrid as early as January.
Wirtz made a high-profile switch from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool during the summer, but the German international has struggled to settle under new boss Arne Slot.
Florian Wirtz tipped for possible January exit
Despite his difficult start at Anfield, Real Madrid continue to be linked with Wirtz, and Hamann has suggested that a temporary move to Spain is not out of the question.
Speaking to ESportsBets (via GOAL), the former Reds midfielder explained that football has changed, making once-unthinkable situations—like top players going out on loan—far more plausible. He referenced Philippe Coutinho’s short-term move to Bayern Munich after his £140 million transfer to Barcelona as an example.
Hamann said:
“In the past, top players never went on loan — it was only for those not getting game time. That changed when Coutinho went to Bayern a year after joining Barcelona for around £140 million. I wouldn’t rule anything out in football today.
“It’s been reported that Xabi Alonso asked Real Madrid to monitor Wirtz’s performances at Liverpool — and I can believe it. Alonso knows him well; Wirtz was vital to Leverkusen’s league and cup success alongside Granit Xhaka. He’s an exceptional player, but after about ten games, things haven’t clicked yet. You can never say never.”
Hamann also drew parallels with Juan Sebastian Veron’s brief spell at Manchester United, stressing that even world-class players can struggle to adapt to new environments.
Why Wirtz is finding life difficult at Liverpool
Wirtz’s struggles stem largely from the tactical shift between his role under Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen and Slot’s system at Liverpool.
At Leverkusen, Wirtz thrived as a left-sided attacking midfielder in Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 setup, dictating play and receiving constant service from teammates like Xhaka. The team revolved around him, giving him freedom to dictate tempo, dribble, and create chances.
In contrast, at Liverpool he’s been asked to perform a more disciplined, team-oriented role that emphasizes defensive pressing and off-the-ball movement. His touches per 90 minutes have dropped significantly, limiting his influence in possession.
Additionally, the physical intensity of the Premier League has proven challenging. The 21-year-old has often been muscled off the ball — a typical adjustment hurdle for technical players arriving from the Bundesliga.
Still, few doubt his ability. Wirtz remains one of Europe’s most gifted young midfielders, and Real Madrid’s continued interest underlines just how highly he is rated across the continent.
