A former player for Liverpool, Didi Hamann, suggests that Florian Wirtz will need to quickly get used to the challenges presented by English football following a less-than-stellar introduction to the Premier League.
The 22-year-old German national team player joined Liverpool with significant anticipation, spurred by his remarkable displays for Bayer Leverkusen. However, Hamann posits that Wirtz – considered the top attacking midfielder currently according to FourFourTwo’s rankings – has experienced a more difficult adjustment than anticipated.
“He needs to acclimate to the tempo of the matches,” Hamann expressed to FourFourTwo, speaking on behalf of Grosvenor Casino. “The game is more physically demanding and faster-paced. Fouls aren’t as readily called as they are in Germany, and he needs to mature.”
‘He’s got to adapt to the pace of the game’ Liverpool legend Didi Hamann tells FourFourTwo
“He’s still a developing player, but upon arriving in England, a player must develop – and his development needs to be rapid,” Hamann added. He also acknowledged that Wirtz’s initial showings in a Liverpool jersey have left something to be desired, marked by only sporadic flashes of brilliance.
“Having watched all of his first four matches, I must say they’ve been quite disappointing. A glimmer of potential appeared in the second half against Arsenal, where he created a couple of instances that positively impacted the team’s forward progress. However, aside from that, his performances have been largely underwhelming, and he’s often seemed detached from the games. His involvement has been minimal.”
Hamann suggests that Wirtz’s confidence has taken a hit. “It appears his confidence is waning, leading him to perhaps overcompensate by exerting extra effort in defensive plays,” stated Hamann, a veteran of Anfield who clinched six major titles, including two FA Cups, a UEFA Cup, and a Champions League.
“In my view, he should strategically conserve energy at times, aligning with his natural style of play. We need him to direct his energy towards forward movements.”
Despite his reservations, Hamann commended the young player’s mentality. Wirtz’s summer transfer, valued in the nine-figure range, briefly positioned him as the fifth most expensive player ever, before Alexander Isak’s transfer eclipsed that mark.
“He’s aiming to gain the respect of his teammates, which is typically earned through diligence, especially when performance dips,” Hamann noted. “His work ethic is commendable, suggesting a strong character and a positive attitude. However, he now needs to positively influence the game offensively. Thus far, that impact has been limited, and I hope to see improvements soon, especially given that he’s played in four matches already.”
Given that Liverpool’s coach, Arne Slot, is keen on securing Liverpool’s Premier League title defense by establishing a squad reflective of his strategies, Wirtz is likely under pressure to quickly showcase his capabilities.
“Should his form not improve over the next couple of matches, there’s a possibility that the coach might opt to give him some time off,” Hamann speculated. “I doubt Slot is overly worried, as he observes Wirtz in training and understands his capabilities. However, the external expectations should not be dismissed lightly.”
