Florian Wirtz’s start to life at Liverpool has been anything but smooth.
The German playmaker arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer in a blockbuster £116 million deal, and while expectations were sky-high, the reality so far has been a test of patience — both for him and the fans.
Despite flashes of brilliance, the Liverpool No.7 is yet to record a goal or assist in the Premier League, leading to rising criticism from pundits and supporters.
But not everyone is joining that chorus. One Premier League forward has stepped up to defend him — and it’s someone who knows exactly what the adjustment to English football feels like.
Woltemade hits back at critics over Florian Wirtz
Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade, a fellow German international, has come to Wirtz’s defense, insisting that statistics don’t tell the full story.
Speaking to RTL/n-tv/sport.de while on international duty, Woltemade praised his compatriot’s involvement in play despite his lack of end product.
“For every player, adjusting isn’t easy. But he’s doing very well,” Woltemade said.
“On paper, you might not see the goals, but if you compare my games with his, he’s much more involved in play.”
“I’ve probably been in the right spot three or four times, received the ball and scored – but he’s very active in the game, gets lots of touches and makes good plays.”
The Newcastle forward, who has netted four Premier League goals this season, believes Wirtz’s contribution goes beyond numbers.
He argued that the midfielder’s influence is visible in how Liverpool build attacks — something fans who look beyond scorelines would appreciate.
The Premier League isn’t a walk in the park
Wirtz’s slow start has drawn comparisons to other foreign stars who took time to adapt to England’s pace and physicality. Even Arne Slot has experimented with his position, switching him between wide and central roles in search of balance.
The pressure grew after Liverpool’s defeat to Manchester City, where Wirtz struggled to find space under Pep Guardiola’s tactical press. Yet, as Julian Nagelsmann, the Germany boss, explained earlier this week, the challenge isn’t just individual — it’s collective.
“Each of the five attacking players wants to be the star player,” Nagelsmann said. “That makes it difficult for Flo because the entire club is not as stable as last season.”
That insight hits close to home for Liverpool fans, who have seen even world-class players take time to find their groove in red. Wirtz dazzled against Real Madrid in Europe just days before the City game — a reminder that quality doesn’t vanish overnight.
A reminder of the long game
For all the noise surrounding his price tag, Wirtz is still only 22. The Premier League may not be a walk in the park, but his confidence and composure on the ball show why Liverpool were willing to invest so heavily.
Even Woltemade, reflecting on his own whirlwind rise that saw him move from Stuttgart to Newcastle and score for the senior national team, admitted it takes time to adjust.
“It’s been a very crazy year. I’ve experienced so much – moments I never could have imagined before. I’m very grateful and want to keep working for such amazing moments,” he said.
That mindset might be exactly what Wirtz needs right now — patience, perspective, and a bit of faith from those around him.