How £116m Liverpool Star Florian Wirtz Fared in the Reds’ 2-0 Victory Over West Ham
Liverpool may have secured a 2-0 win over West Ham on Sunday, but the champions once again showed signs of fragility. The first half at the London Stadium drifted by with little intensity from either side, though Florian Wirtz did his best to rise above the growing criticism surrounding him. Goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo ultimately sealed Arne Slot’s first victory in four matches.
Wirtz, who arrived for £116 million after dominating the Bundesliga and winning back-to-back Player of the Year awards, has faced strong scrutiny for his slow adjustment to the pace and physicality of the Premier League. He’s gone 12 league games without an assist and has already been mentioned among the season’s most disappointing signings.
He’s not alone in finding life difficult under Slot—new arrivals like Milos Kerkez and record transfer Isak have also struggled—but Wirtz has at least offered flashes of genuine class. Many now believe that his subdued numbers don’t accurately reflect the refinement and promise in his overall play.
Wirtz’s Display vs West Ham
Jamie Carragher described Wirtz’s opening 45 minutes as his best yet in a Liverpool shirt, having completed 28 of 29 passes. His influence grew after the break, highlighted by the incisive ball that led to Gakpo assisting Isak’s first league goal of the season. Across the match, he completed 95% of his passes, created four big chances, produced one key pass, and tested the goalkeeper himself. Already known for his work rate—he covered more ground than any other player in the win over Real Madrid earlier this month—he again contributed defensively when pushed out wide to Mohamed Salah’s role, making three recoveries, winning three of five duels, and registering a clearance.
Liverpool Fans All Saying the Same Thing
Supporters were united after the match: Wirtz isn’t the root of Liverpool’s creative issues. He can glide past opponents, link play, and work tirelessly out of possession, but he still needs the forwards to finish the chances he helps create.
Fans on social media were quick to point out that the lack of form around him is a major factor in his low assist tally. One supporter argued that Wirtz would look a different player with in-form attackers ahead of him, while another said his output is understandably limited given the poor movement and finishing in front of him. Others insisted that this performance was the closest Liverpool have come to witnessing the real Wirtz.
As frustration surrounds the team’s shaky title defence, criticism of the German playmaker is beginning to subside, with many now shifting their focus onto the players around him rather than the newcomer himself.
