Liverpool made a high-profile signing in summer 2025 by acquiring Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for $156 million. This move was seen as a significant coup, with Liverpool beating out top clubs like Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Real Madrid to secure the highly regarded German international. The club expected Wirtz to immediately take on a crucial role and consistently influence matches for the Reds.

However, Wirtz's impact so far has been underwhelming. In the current 2026/27 Premier League season, he has only managed one assist in five games, following an inconsistent debut campaign. Given his hefty price tag and the hopes pinned on him, Liverpool and its supporters feel entitled to see more decisive performances from one of the club’s costliest signings. The club’s position in the standings—sixth place after five games—reflects broader struggles beyond just Wirtz.

Liverpool’s head coach Andoni Iraola defends the midfielder’s contributions, emphasizing that statistics like goals and assists don’t fully capture Wirtz’s value. Iraola argues that the German helps the team’s overall play on both offense and defense, and that success is a collective effort with goals coming from various players. The manager is focused on the bigger picture of team performance rather than individual numbers alone.

That said, Iraola’s argument is tempered by Liverpool’s current form, which shows the squad is still a work in progress under his guidance. He is reorganizing the team’s attack, with players like Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola, and Cody Gakpo developing chemistry while trying to define their roles. Wirtz has shown flashes of his talent but must deliver more consistent impact to justify his price and help Liverpool climb the table in the competitive Premier League.