World Cup winner defends ‘brilliant’ Liverpool star after recent criticism | OneFootball

Liverpool Confidence Grows Around Florian Wirtz After Public Backing

Liverpool’s summer investment in Florian Wirtz was seen as a statement of intent from Arne Slot. Signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m, the German playmaker arrived with a reputation for vision, intelligence and consistency. Yet nine games into life at Anfield without a goal or assist has been enough for sections of the media to raise doubts. Jamie Carragher went as far as to say the 22-year-old had “not been at the races” recently.

One voice has cut through the noise with a far more composed assessment. Philipp Lahm, a World Cup-winning captain and one of the most measured figures in German football, has no concerns about Liverpool’s number seven. Speaking to RTL, he said, “I’m not worried about Florian Wirtz at all because he’s such an outstanding, brilliant player who simply makes his teammates better. Quality and class always prevail, and that will absolutely be the case with Florian Wirtz.”

Photo: IMAGO

Numbers Will Come for the German Playmaker

Scepticism around Wirtz centres on output rather than performance level. His pressing has been sharp, his spatial awareness has helped link midfield to attack and his decision-making already shows signs of maturity. What he lacks is that release moment, the first goal in red that could spark a run of contributions.

History offers reassurance. Peter Crouch went months without scoring before finally lifting the weight from his shoulders and never looked back. Wirtz arrives in England off the back of 16 goals and 15 assists for Leverkusen last season. Those statistics are not a fluke, they are evidence of habit.

Arne Slot’s Trust Will Be Crucial

Slot has already shown he values structure and patience over panic. His Liverpool side, Premier League champions in his debut campaign, relies on cohesion rather than individualism. That makes Wirtz an ideal long-term fit. His skill lies not in chaos but orchestration. Even without direct goal returns he influences games with positioning and tempo.

The public endorsement from Lahm is more than sentiment. It serves as a reminder that adaptation is part of development. Coming into a system as demanding as Slot’s requires time, especially in a league where intensity arrives from every angle.

Backing from Within and Beyond Anfield

Lahm’s comments carry weight precisely because he understands the pressure. Having spent most of his career within the Bayern Munich spotlight he knows what it means to be judged weekly. If he sees long-term success in Wirtz, Liverpool supporters should feel encouraged.

Wirtz will score, he will assist and he will influence results. There is no crisis, only a countdown to lift-off.