Florian Wirtz has struggled so far since signing for Liverpool and endured another difficult afternoon in the Premier League defeat to Manchester City
Stephen Killen Senior Football Writer
19:31, 09 Nov 2025Updated 20:09, 09 Nov 2025
Gary Neville offered his verdict on Florian Wirtz’s Liverpool struggles.(Image: Getty Images)
Gary Neville has claimed Liverpool playmaker Florian Wirtz is ‘trying too hard’ which is deepening his problematic start in the Premier League. The Germany star had one of his best games for the Reds during their Champions League triumph over Real Madrid in midweek but had another difficult outing against Manchester City.
The 22-year-old has been under the microscope for his early career at Anfield as he has failed to replicate the form that warranted his big-money signing from Bayer Leverkusen. Liverpool have been a shadow of the side that won the Premier League in May and their significant drop off in form has hindered Wirtz.
Arne Slot has faced calls to drop Wirtz already during the first three months of the season, and he did so against Chelsea, but has started him in the last two against Madrid and City.
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Neville discussed the struggles from the German in England and claimed that he has been trying too hard. He told NBC Sports: “Maybe it’s the style. Maybe he’s more used to it [the Champions League].
“When I’ve watched Florian Wirtz, there’s no doubt that in points in games, there’s a real talent there. They wouldn’t have paid the money if there wasn’t that level of ability, I just think he presents a little bit naive – and that seems crazy for a player of that talent.
“He almost moves towards the ball too much , he isn’t patient enough to sit in the spaces between midfield and defence. I just feel if he stands still in the game, he drifts into positions that make it tougher for him to get the ball and he’s trying too hard.
“There’s no doubt there’s a real player there but maybe in Europe they’re more suited to it and he is.”
It follows on criticism of Slot from former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. The Frenchman took aim at the Liverpool head coach saying that Wirtz’s inclusion had destroyed the Premier League champions’ midfield.
He argued: “When Wirtz had the choice between going to Bayern Munich or Liverpool, he said to Liverpool, ‘I come to you if I play No 10. I do not want to play wide’.
“Liverpool, to get him, they say, ‘okay. They started him and they destroyed their midfield – which was (Ryan) Gravenberch, (Alexis) Mac Allister, (Dominik) Szoboszlai.
“To play Wirtz, they took Szoboszlai out. What have they done against Aston Villa? They have gone back to their midfield of last year. And tonight, they play Wirtz – but I’m sure that Wirtz will play on the side.
“The manager has said: ‘If you want to play again, you will have to play wide because I do not want to disturb the midfield.’ That will be interesting to see tonight. Wirtz is back in the team but certainly will have to play left where he was when he played at Leverkusen.”
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