Florian Wirtz is struggling at Liverpool FC. Former Reds professional Didi Hamann sees one particular problem.
National player Florian Wirtz has been having difficulties at FC Liverpool so far. In ten competitive matches, he only managed one assist, and criticism has been voiced countless times, especially in England. Former Liverpool professional Didi Hamann is also “disappointed” with the 22-year-old’s performances, as he explained in an interview with kicker .
The TV expert believes that one thing in particular is preventing Wirtz from delivering better performances: “He tries to force everything in his direction, so to speak. Everything he has to do defensively, he does at full sprint,” Hamann explained.
Florian Wirtz is currently having a tough time in Liverpool
“I feel that when he has possession of the ball, he lacks the strength, calmness, and concentration that he had in Leverkusen. He wants to prove himself, he wants to work hard for the team. But: That’s not why they signed him.”
Hamann: Wirtz is losing sight of the essentials
According to Hamann, Wirtz tries to cover too many spaces at once and loses sight of the essentials in the process. “The hard work naturally honors him and earns him the respect of his teammates. However: He was signed to influence the game offensively. And that’s exactly what he’s doing too little of at the moment.”
And further: “However, to be fair: If he had a Mo Salah in the form of previous years as an option on the right wing, it would be easier for Wirtz as well. But Salah is finding it increasingly difficult to score goals from open play.”
For Hamann, it’s also clear that the different style of play continues to be a problem for the Reds’ new signing: “It’s a different game on the island, it’s more physical, it’s faster, and the referees blow their whistles less.”
Liverpool team has changed
However, he considers theories already put forward in England that Wirtz might be playing in the wrong place to be premature. “You don’t know how it would work elsewhere. Last season, Liverpool controlled the games. Now a new structure has emerged, with Wirtz in the middle of it. But: There’s not much dominance left,” Hamann continued.
“It feels like every attack, no matter in which direction, leads to a scoring opportunity. How is a number ten supposed to bring calm into the game and play those passes he usually masters so well thanks to his brilliance?”
Hamann continued: “Liverpool hardly has any control left, and honestly, the 15 points they’ve collected in the first few weeks are fluttering. Still: Wirtz needs to start influencing games going forward at some point.”
“Wirtz too good not to succeed”
Hamann does not see any short-term improvement in the next two to four weeks. “Because although he impressed in the Champions League, for example against Atlético, the football played there is different, not as intense as in the Premier League,” the TV expert is certain.
“But the Premier League is his everyday business, and I hope he doesn’t lose faith in himself. Self-doubt may drive you, but it shouldn’t go so far that he questions his own abilities. I still believe that Wirtz is too good not to succeed in the Premier League. But nothing is impossible in football. So he needs a success quickly so that the burden falls away and he finds a better balance in his game again.”