Liverpool could do more to ‘help out’ Florian Wirtz, says Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann, as key stats revealed

He has also been left out of the starting XI at times as head coach Arne Slot has looked to shake things up following a tricky start to the season.

“To be honest, the overall situation doesn’t make it easy for Flo,” said Nagelsmann.

Slot: Decision to disallow Van Dijk header ‘clear and obvious it was wrong’

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“The whole club isn’t as stable this year as it was last year. It’s much harder to slip into the team now.

“If you look at the game against City, they were actually the worse team over the 90 minutes. So it’s also difficult for Flo to make a big impact.

“Ultimately, the overall situation is such that he just needs a little more time, which is normal; you see that with other players who move to the Premier League too.”

Wirtz was regarded as one of the most exciting talents in Europe when he joined Liverpool due to his dazzling form for Bayer Leverkusen. 

He was a key figure as Leverkusen won the league and cup double in 2023/24, as well as reaching the UEFA Europa League final.

In 2024/25, he won five man-of-the-match awards in the UEFA Champions League, the most for any player.

“We all know what he’s capable of,” added Nagelsmann. “And it’s perfectly normal for a player of his age to go through a bit of a dip in form. We can’t expect him to perform at the same level for three years straight. 

Wirtz misses golden chance to equalise and open Liverpool account

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“Instead, we all need to support him a little bit so that he can clear his head here, and then maybe Liverpool could also help him out by scoring some of the chances he creates.

“That would be one idea, because he does not create few chances, it’s just that… they somehow don’t like to shoot the ball in, that’s also part of the truth.”

Does Nagelsmann have a point?

It is possible that Liverpool’s drop in form this season has not helped bring out the best in Wirtz.

Another factor might be the number of new signings that Slot is trying to fit into his side, which was so settled for their title-winning campaign last season.

But is Nagelsmann right to say that “Liverpool could also help him out by scoring some of the chances he creates”?

Liverpool are the sixth-highest scorers in the Premier League this season with 18 goals.

In terms of xG (expected goals), they also sit sixth on 17.91.

Wirtz, who himself has had 12 shots in the Premier League, three of which have been on target, has created just one big chance, as recorded by Opta, which was a delightful touch on the spin to set up Mohamed Salah against Chelsea.

Stats: Opta

In total, he has created 16 chances at a rate of 2.08 per game, a rank of 16th overall in the PL, and eighth among players to have played at least 500 minutes.

His 28 shot involvements are the most in the Premier League without scoring or assisting a goal (Anthony Gordon is the next highest on 21), and he ranks joint-38th in the league for expected assists with 1.19.

So, while he is not right at the top of PL creators, he has produced enough to yield assists – but the dominoes are yet to fall in his favour.

Contrast that to the Champions League, where Wirtz ranks top of several attacking categories.

He is top of expected assists with 2.1 and is joint-top in chances created (16) and big chances created (four).

Highlights: Liverpool rout Frankfurt as Wirtz shines

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Liverpool have won three of four games in the Champions League, including beating Real Madrid and thumping Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1.

Where should Wirtz play?

Another dilemma for Slot is seemingly where to play Wirtz to maximise his talent.

At Leverkusen, he was largely utilised behind the striker in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Against Real Madrid in the Champions League, he started on the left of a front three and impressed.

He kept the role against Manchester City but struggled to impact the game as he was kept quiet by Matheus Nunes.

Discussing his starting role against Madrid, Wirtz said: “I just enjoyed to play, first of all, because I wasn’t sure if I would play, so I was happy that I could play. I just take the position the manager wants me to play.

“Of course, I am familiar with this position, but I can also play just in the middle, in the 10 or on the left, and I just try to always give my best and to be important for the team.

“I think I have already a good connection with my team-mates on the pitch. Of course, the numbers are not there now, but I just try to give my best every game – that’s what I always do – and I’m happy that I can create some chances.

“Hopefully in the next weeks and months we can score more, but I am just trying to help the team with my strengths.”

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