Florian Wirtz Tipped for Shock Liverpool Exit After Only 10 Games
Florian Wirtz has been linked with a surprising exit from Liverpool after a disappointing start to life in England.
The German midfielder joined the Reds from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer for a hefty £116 million fee, but he has yet to justify the price tag, failing to record a single goal or assist in 10 appearances. Wirtz featured in Liverpool’s opening matches but was later dropped for the Merseyside derby against Everton, as he continues to struggle to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity.
Ahead of Liverpool’s return to league action this weekend, a report from Spain claims that Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has urged the club’s hierarchy to monitor Wirtz’s situation closely. According to Defensa Central, Alonso—who coached Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen—remains a huge admirer and views bringing him to Madrid as a long-term dream. The report adds that Wirtz might also be open to a move if his struggles at Anfield persist.
Despite the criticism, Liverpool manager Arne Slot has continued to back the 22-year-old, insisting he has been unlucky rather than ineffective.
“If you’re signed for that kind of money, people focus only on goals and assists,” Slot told Sky Sports. “But he could easily have six or seven assists already. For example, against Chelsea, he produced a brilliant flick for Mo Salah that would normally be a certain goal.”
Slot added that Wirtz simply needs more time to adapt: “It’s normal for a young player moving to a new country—and to a league as demanding as the Premier League—to take time to settle.”
Wirtz came off the bench in Liverpool’s defeat to Chelsea before the international break and will be hoping to return to the starting lineup when the Reds face Manchester United on Sunday.
