Liverpool Star Told to ‘Be Smarter’ after Shock Defeat | OneFootball

Liverpool Star Florian Wirtz Told to “be smarter” by Germany coach

Florian Wirtz has quickly become the focus of attention since completing his £116 million move to Liverpool, a British record fee that inevitably brings pressure and scrutiny. The 22-year-old midfielder has shown glimpses of his quality but his contributions so far have been limited, leading to questions both at Anfield and on international duty with Germany.

Pressure growing on Wirtz after record Liverpool transfer

Any big-money signing faces expectation, but the price Liverpool paid for Wirtz magnifies every detail of his performances. Supporters were excited by his arrival, viewing him as one of Europe’s most gifted creators, yet he has struggled to fully display the ball-carrying and chance-creating abilities that made him so highly valued in the Bundesliga.

The pace and intensity of the Premier League may be a factor, with Wirtz needing to adapt quickly to the demands of English football. He has the technical skill to progress the ball and relieve pressure, but at times he has been hesitant to use his body and win fouls in advanced areas.

Nagelsmann urges Wirtz to adapt with Germany

While representing Germany in their World Cup qualifier defeat to Slovakia in Bratislava, Wirtz again found himself under scrutiny. His national team manager, Julian Nagelsmann, criticised him for failing to react decisively in a key moment.

“I didn’t speak to him about that scene, but if I did I would’ve told him that he should fall to the ground because it was a clear foul,” Nagelsmann said, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.

“It wasn’t a regular goal. You should be smarter in the situation and fall, because it was a clear foul.”

It is a clear message that Wirtz must adapt his game to the demands of both international football and the Premier League, where small details often decide matches.

Slot echoes similar frustrations at Liverpool

Nagelsmann’s remarks mirror what Arne Slot has already been asking of his Liverpool players. The Dutch manager, who guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season, has repeatedly encouraged his squad to be more streetwise.

Slot was left frustrated last season when Ryan Gravenberch was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card for simulation. While he criticised the decision, he also noted that his team had to be less “nice” and make more of the contact they receive.

The modern game, he argued, often rewards players who go to ground rather than those who try to stay on their feet. That outlook is now being reinforced by Germany’s coach, putting Wirtz in no doubt that he must develop this side of his game.

Adaptation key for Liverpool’s record signing

Liverpool invested heavily in Florian Wirtz because of his creativity, vision and ability to carry the ball between the lines. Those qualities remain intact, and at just 22 years of age he has time to settle into life at Anfield. However, both Slot and Nagelsmann have made it clear that he needs to be more pragmatic, using his intelligence not just to create but also to influence referees’ decisions.

As Liverpool and Germany look to compete at the highest level, Wirtz’s ability to adapt could be decisive in determining how quickly he fulfils his potential on both fronts.