Woltemade defends Wirtz after criticism at Liverpool: "He's doing very well" | OneFootball

Florian Wirtz has faced significant criticism in England for failing to make the desired impact following his big-money move from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool last summer.

Nick Woltemade made a similar switch, leaving VfB Stuttgart for Newcastle United, and believes the criticism is unjustified.

“For every player, adjusting isn’t easy. But he’s doing very well,” Woltemade told RTL/n-tv/sport.de.

While Wirtz has yet to register a goal or assist in the Premier League, Woltemade has already scored four league goals for Newcastle United this season. 

But according to the striker, the stats far from tell the full story.

“On paper, you might not see the goals, but if you compare my games with his, he’s much more involved in play,” Woltemade said.

“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.”

In the past year and a half, Woltemade has won the DFB-Pokal with Stuttgart, reached the U21 European Championship final, scored his first goal for the senior national team and secured a move to Newcastle United.

Reflecting on this whirlwind period, he said:

“It’s been a very crazy year. I’ve experienced so much – moments I never could have imagined before. 

"It’s sometimes hard to grasp. A year like this isn’t something you take for granted. I’m very grateful for it and want to keep working for such amazing moments.”