Could Liverpool Let Go of £116m Florian Wirtz? Former Reds Midfielder Weighs In on Transfer Timeline
Florian Wirtz became the priciest player in British football history when he joined Liverpool for £116 million ($157m) in 2025. Yet, the German playmaker has struggled to make his mark in the Premier League. Former Liverpool midfielder and fellow German Dietmar Hamann shared with GOAL when transfer rumors might heat up at Anfield if Wirtz fails to find his rhythm.
Wirtz's Goal Contributions So Far
Arriving as a highly rated talent, Wirtz had already secured a Bundesliga title with Bayer Leverkusen before moving to England. Expectations were high for him to shine with his creativity. However, the 23-year-old endured a slow start during Liverpool's 2025-26 season, managing only seven goals and seven assists. Questions about his impact have grown louder as the season progressed.
When Could Liverpool Entertain Offers?
Despite the hefty investment, Liverpool seem unwilling to wait indefinitely for Wirtz to find form. Two seasons might be the window given to him, but that may not stretch much longer. Speaking alongside Betinia NJ, Hamann expressed what Wirtz must do this campaign and when exit speculation could begin:
"He needs to start playing well and influencing matches. Sometimes he floats on the pitch and lacks respect from teammates who might hesitate to give him defensive cover. Players are willing to support if he makes things happen when receiving the ball, but so far, that hasn’t been consistent."
"He’s working hard defensively now, perhaps too much, trying to help the team because he believes he can influence the attack. The balance in his game is off. He’s not meant to win balls back but to create and score goals. Last season, only a few games showed that."
"The Premier League is physically demanding, and some top players take time to adjust. I gave him until Christmas last year, thinking he was too good to fail. But after that point, I doubted he'd crack it."
"If he doesn’t step up within the next few weeks, by the international break, expect plenty of talk about whether Liverpool made the right decision to buy him. Maybe even he’ll wonder if this league suits him."
"Something will have to change, possibly even during the January transfer window, if improvements don’t come."
What Position Suits Wirtz Best?
There is ongoing debate about whether Wirtz thrives as a classic No.10 or performs better drifting inside from the left wing. Hamann weighed in on this:
"People say how well he trains, but at some stage—probably after last Christmas—someone should have told him: ‘Either you deliver or we reassess your role in the summer around the World Cup.’ They can’t wait forever."
"He was brought in to be a leading figure. It’s not just about playing on the left; if your No.10 isn’t creating chances or scoring enough, others will get opportunities—especially with Bradley Barcola arriving. It’s a tough spot for players in England."
Liverpool's Current Status and Future Outlook
Wirtz is contracted with Liverpool until 2030 but must improve his output quickly to justify that commitment. Under new manager Andoni Iraola, the Reds have started the 2026-27 season with two draws: 2-2 against Newcastle and 2-2 versus Nottingham Forest. Their next match is away at newly promoted Ipswich Town on Friday.
- Upcoming Fixture: Ipswich Town vs Liverpool, 4 Sept 2026, 21:00
