Florian Wirtz, despite a challenging start to his career at Liverpool, has garnered support from former German international Benedikt Höwedes, who insists the young midfielder is “too good to fail.” Höwedes, a 2014 World Cup winner and former team manager, expressed his views during a discussion with international reporters, emphasizing the potential he sees in Wirtz.
“Wirtz was an outstanding player at Bayer Leverkusen,” Höwedes remarked. “He was not just another player; he was the player, showcasing immense talent and enjoyment in his performances last season. Transitioning to a new club often comes with challenges, especially in terms of support and position.”
Wirtz joined Liverpool for a substantial fee of £116 million in the summer, yet he has yet to find the back of the net or register an assist in the Premier League. Höwedes acknowledged his surprise at Wirtz’s slow adaptation but provided insight into the factors contributing to this initial struggle.
“Yes, I was a little surprised that he hasn’t demonstrated his best performances yet,” he said. “He’s only 22 and adjusting to a new country and club for the first time. Without his family and friends by his side, he may not feel fully supported yet. At Leverkusen, he had the trust of everyone, and now he must earn that trust step by step at Liverpool.”
As a proud German, Höwedes hopes to see Wirtz return to form ahead of next summer’s tournament. “We need him at his peak. Currently, he hasn’t reached his best, and we expect him to regain his shape to create something special in the World Cup.”
Wirtz’s statistics reflect an intriguing narrative in his early Premier League tenure. Although he remains without a goal or assist, he ranks among the top ten players in the league for chances created from open play. His ability to influence matches is particularly notable in the Champions League, where only Kylian Mbappé has created more chances than Wirtz.
Critics have pointed to his difficulty adjusting to the Premier League’s physicality. Yet, he has been dynamic, ranking in the top ten for possessions won in the final third. Among players who have run over 75 kilometres this season, Wirtz stands out, being in the top six for distance covered and high-intensity sprints per 90 minutes.
Despite these metrics, Wirtz’s off-the-ball runs are often not recognized by his teammates, as they are still acclimating to his playing style. His preference for quick interactions, such as one-twos and give-and-goes, can lead to frustration when the ball does not return his way.
Data from Genius IQ indicates that Wirtz’s average time to receive a pass is just 0.81 seconds, the fifth lowest in the Premier League among players with over 1,000 available touches. This statistic underscores his ability to create space and opportunities, even if the headline numbers do not yet reflect it.
As Wirtz completes fifteen appearances in the Premier League, the consensus remains that he possesses the talent needed to succeed. With the right support and an adjustment period behind him, many believe that he will soon demonstrate why he is regarded as a player with immense potential.
