RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Liverpool's Florian Wirtz (right) celebrates scoring before the goal is ruled out for offside following a VAR review during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Saturday August 29, 2026. (Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images
Since 23 year-old Florian Wirtz’s roughly £100M signing in the summer of 2025 he has the extra burden of high expectations amongst pundits and supporters. Most of that comes from the price tag but in fairness that price was driven by Wirtz’s qualities he has proven on the pitch over many seasons and that is where perhaps many Liverpool supporters are struggling. He is a generational talent amongst the German footballers and has been showing all the reasons for why yet his performances in a Liverpool jersey have left most disappointed so far.
For most of us supporters we face our own pressures through everyday life, work, politics etc and so we turn to our beloved clubs in the need of being uplifted with winning performances and that pressure falls upon the shoulders of the players. The more money they make or how big their transfer fee was the higher the expectation, or at least the less patience, amongst the supporters to the point where some are already saying he should be sold. I for one know I’m grateful I don’t have a boss like those fans but I’ve experienced them before and the pressure can break someone.
Of course professional sports people are aware of expectations and most are probably their own harshest critics as well under constant pushing from personal trainers, coaches and fans alike. It must also be an unbelievable feeling living the life of personal dreams and reaching the heights of success whilst doing so which is something Wirtz has already experienced. The expectations from supporters is encouraged and increased when such a player of quality arrives and this writer certainly had a lot of that when news broke of Liverpool beating off Bayern Munich for the young German’s signature. The problems of the previous season didn’t make it easy for any of the squad and then followed by a World Cup summer plus a new head coach and system the players could be excused for struggling a little at the start of this season but patience is in short supply and Florian has already been placed under the microscope of scrutiny.
Head coach Andoni Iraola was asked about him in the post match presser and firstly he mentioned how unlucky Wirtz was with his goal being disallowed but that he also did very well for Liverpool’s second (and Munoz’s first) goal. Iraola went further
“Florian is very good, I trust him a lot. So I think we have to find the best way to use him.“
“I think his position, from my side, is quite clear and the more he plays with us the better he will be and I believe he will adapt.”
The cynical fans will say that Iraola has to speak well of his players while pundits will no doubt continue to pick at his every play but this writer believes he will come good and I look back at the partnership Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike stuck up very quickly on the pitch. That partnership is one which gave me some hope last season and I cannot wait to see return once Ekitike is back from his injury. We could also look at yesterday’s game and the impact he had on critical moments with an assist and well taken goal that was disallowed but is that enough though? It’s better than the previous game against Newcastle so that’s a good sign, and I’ll take any positives right about now.
As the season progresses Florian will have the chance to push on as will the rest of the squad and that Iraola’s belief and coaching will prove to be fruitful. I want to believe and I choose too which means I’ve surrendered to knowing this isn’t going to be a smooth season but we will definitely get better than where we are now. Florian Wirtz finding his rhythm and confidence can only be a good thing and greatly help our overall performances so I guess this writer is hanging my hopes on him too.
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