Florian Wirtz admits Liverpool start was harder than expected

Florian Wirtz has mirrored on his tough early months at Liverpool and the enhancements he feels he has made since arriving from Germany.

The 22-year-old has been one of many gamers whose kind has risen because the flip of the yr, even when his total numbers nonetheless look modest in comparison with expectations.

Wirtz was on the scoresheet once more within the Champions League win over Qarabag, producing a composed end that confirmed why the membership invested so closely in him.

That aim additionally got here in a interval the place Liverpool have regarded much more fluent in Europe than within the Premier League, giving Arne Slot’s aspect a platform to rebuild confidence forward of Newcastle at Anfield.

Talking about his private journey since becoming a member of, Wirtz admitted he anticipated an immediate impression however needed to reset mentally when that didn’t occur.

He instructed BBC Sport: “I used to be telling myself you probably did so good in Germany, you’ll be able to’t simply overlook the best way to play soccer like this right here.”

The German playmaker defined that his mindset needed to change after the transfer didn’t instantly go to plan.

He added: “So I used to be very excited once I got here and needed it to be like an immediate success, nevertheless it didn’t come like this.”

Florian Wirtz displays on adapting to Liverpool and the Premier League

‘I needed to hold believing at one level it might click on’ 💪

Florian Wirtz admits his begin to life at Liverpool “wasn’t straightforward.” pic.twitter.com/R4aCyWLSNW

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 30, 2026

For Liverpool supporters, the admission is not going to come as a shock.

The Premier League has been unforgiving for a participant who arrived with huge hype from the Bundesliga, and Wirtz has typically been judged via the prism of what he was fairly than what he nonetheless must turn out to be in England.

The Germany worldwide burdened that perception was key throughout that interval.

He stated: “I simply needed to keep robust in my thoughts and hold believing in myself that at one level it has to click on.”

That psychological adjustment seems to be paying off.

For the reason that flip of the yr, Wirtz has contributed 4 objectives and one help in eight video games, which represents a pointy enchancment on the primary half of the marketing campaign.

Throughout the league season as a complete, Sofascore knowledge exhibits three objectives and one help from 22 appearances, alongside an anticipated objectives determine of 4.70 and an anticipated assists determine of three.55, suggesting his output has not matched his underlying affect.

Wirtz himself acknowledged the boldness battle he confronted.

He stated: “It was not straightforward at all times to then even have the boldness on the pitch, however I feel I dealt actually good with it and likewise my folks round me helped me.”

That sense of perspective has additionally been echoed contained in the membership.

Liverpool workers have beforehand maintained religion within the 22-year-old regardless of the gradual begin, believing his adaptation interval was inevitable after shifting from Germany into a brand new league and system.

Florian Wirtz’s latest kind provides encouragement for Liverpool

The Qarabag efficiency supplied a snapshot of why persistence has been inspired.

Wirtz’s aim was taken cleanly, his motion was sharper, and his link-up with Hugo Ekitike continues to develop, with the French ahead even joking just lately that Wirtz owes him some assists again.

Statistically, Wirtz stays extra of a creator than a finisher, with 1.8 key passes per sport and over 59 touches per match within the league, displaying how central he has turn out to be to Liverpool’s attacking construction.

His conversion charge of 9% and 5 huge possibilities missed underline that there’s nonetheless work to do in entrance of aim, however the trajectory now feels upward fairly than stagnant.

From a Liverpool perspective, an important a part of Wirtz’s feedback will not be self-criticism however resilience.

He has not blamed ways or teammates, he’s targeted on perception, mentality and persistence.

That issues in a squad attempting to recuperate consistency domestically whereas sustaining momentum in Europe.

With Newcastle visiting Anfield subsequent, Slot shall be hoping the model of Wirtz seen in opposition to Qarabag continues to emerge.

The German midfielder has not forgotten the best way to play soccer, he’s merely studying the best way to play it in crimson.

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