Liverpool believe Wirtz will explode next season after early struggles | OneFootball

Liverpool believe next season will be Florian Wirtz’s season after an unremarkable debut campaign for the Anfield club, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The German attacking midfielder joined Liverpool last summer for around €116 million but has failed to live up to expectations on Merseyside.

He managed just five goals and four assists in 33 Premier League appearances, even though his total of 17 goal contributions in 49 games is not bad.

Still, the Liverpool playmaker failed to prove his mettle and looked a shell of the player who starred in Bayer Leverkusen’s double win.

Wirtz struggled to make an impact, seemingly drifting in and out of games, much to the annoyance of the club’s fans, who expected more.

However, Liverpool are not panicking as they believe he will explode next season after coming to terms with the rigours of the Premier League.

His total tally is quite promising, and big things can follow. Romano shut down any talks of a reunion with Xabi Alonso at Chelsea, insisting Liverpool are still backing him.

Can Andoni Iraola get the best of Wirtz for Liverpool?

Andoni Iraola’s arrival following Arne Slot’s dismissal could be a game-changer for Wirtz. He could be like a new signing for the Spanish tactician.

Iraola has already shown how he can maximise a technically gifted attacker in central pockets.

Justin Kluivert flourished under him, operating between the lines, given freedom to attack half-spaces, combine quickly, and arrive in the box.

When Kluivert was injured, Eli Junior Kroupi stepped into similar zones and looked comfortable, thriving off vertical movement and fast combinations around him.

That is precisely the environment Wirtz has been missing at Liverpool.

In a 4-2-3-1, he would be most dangerous as the central No.10, protected by a double pivot and encouraged to receive on the turn.

In a 4-4-2, he could operate as the second striker, closer to goal, linking with a focal forward and exploiting chaos rather than structure.

The key is repetition of those central, high-value touches. An Iraola-style framework might unlock his best qualities.