Something unexpected has happened to Florian Wirtz.
After spending much of his first Liverpool season under intense scrutiny, the Germany star has suddenly arrived at the 2026 World Cup carrying a very different feeling: belief.
Not from everyone, admittedly.
But enough to make the next six weeks potentially career-defining.
Because while critics questioned whether Liverpool’s £100 million signing was living up to expectations, Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann never stopped backing him.
Now, with the World Cup underway, Wirtz has a chance to answer some uncomfortable questions that followed him throughout a difficult debut campaign in England.
And that’s where this story becomes fascinating.
The Liverpool Problem That Refused to Go Away
When Wirtz arrived at Liverpool, expectations were enormous.
The former Bayer Leverkusen star wasn’t signed to be a promising project. He was brought in to make an immediate difference.
Instead, his first season quickly became a talking point for all the wrong reasons.
Several high-profile pundits openly questioned his performances.
Former England striker Gary Lineker defended the midfielder during Liverpool’s struggles and insisted his quality was never in doubt.
“We have seen him play in the Champions League, and we know what he can do,” Lineker said.
Lineker remained convinced that Wirtz would eventually justify Liverpool’s huge investment.
Others were less patient.
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Critics Started Asking Tough Questions
As Liverpool’s difficult campaign unfolded, concerns grew louder.
Jamie Carragher argued that Wirtz was contributing too little for a player carrying such a significant transfer fee.
Gary Neville was even more direct after Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in November.
According to Neville, Wirtz looked physically overwhelmed by the occasion.
His criticism centered on two major concerns:
- Physical adaptation to the Premier League
- Lack of influence in big matches
For a player expected to transform Liverpool’s creativity, those questions became impossible to ignore.
And they didn’t disappear as the season progressed.
The Big-Game Debate
Wirtz eventually improved his goal and assist numbers after opening his account against Wolves on December 27.
But another criticism lingered.
Could he dominate the biggest matches?
That debate intensified after Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United in May.
Carragher claimed Wirtz had received an easier ride from critics than many other expensive signings would have received.
His verdict was blunt.
Even after nearly a full season, Carragher still described Wirtz as “neat and tidy” rather than transformative.
For Liverpool supporters expecting a game-changing superstar, that assessment stung.
Quick Snapshot: Wirtz’s First Liverpool Season
| Question | Debate |
|---|---|
| Talent level | Rarely questioned |
| Physical adaptation | Frequently discussed |
| Consistency | Mixed reviews |
| Big-game influence | Major concern |
| Long-term potential | Widely acknowledged |
But that table tells only part of the story.
The Context Many People Ignored
Liverpool’s season never unfolded as expected.
Wirtz joined a side that had recently won the league and was expected to compete deep into the Champions League.
Instead, the campaign became turbulent.
The Reds were comfortably eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals and only secured qualification for next season’s competition on the final day of the Premier League season.
In that environment, judging any new signing became more complicated.
And this is where reactions started dividing.
Some viewed Wirtz as part of the problem.
Others saw a talented player caught inside a struggling team.
The Comparison That Didn’t Help
One comparison followed Wirtz throughout the season.
Rayan Cherki.
Liverpool had shown interest in the French playmaker before Manchester City secured him for a reported £34 million.
As Cherki impressed at the Etihad, comparisons inevitably emerged.
For critics, the contrast looked uncomfortable.
For supporters of Wirtz, it ignored the vastly different situations surrounding both players.
Either way, the debate intensified pressure on Liverpool’s record signing.
Contrarian View: Maybe the Criticism Was Premature
Not everyone believes Wirtz underperformed.
A strong counterargument exists.
Despite the noise, many observers point out that elite creative players often need time to adapt to the Premier League’s speed, physicality and tactical demands.
Wirtz himself acknowledged the challenge.
“I had to get a bit stronger,” he admitted.
The bigger question may not be what happened during Year One.
It may be what happens during Year Two.
Because Germany’s national team has already started seeing a different version of the player.
Why Germany Could Unlock the Real Florian Wirtz
While debate raged in England, Nagelsmann remained unwavering.
The Germany coach started Wirtz in every national-team match after his move to Liverpool.
That confidence appears to have paid off.
After scoring and creating two goals in Germany’s thrilling 4-3 friendly victory over Switzerland in March, Wirtz reflected on the difficult period.
He revealed that Nagelsmann encouraged him to view setbacks as opportunities to become stronger.
The midfielder now believes those struggles have helped his development.
And Nagelsmann’s admiration remains obvious.
The Germany coach recently described Wirtz as “unbelievably talented” and highlighted the energy he brings to the team’s style of play.
What Happens Next?
For all the criticism, one fact remains unchanged.
Florian Wirtz is still regarded as one of the most gifted attacking midfielders in world football.
The doubts surrounding his Liverpool career have not disappeared.
Neither have the expectations.
But World Cups have a habit of changing narratives faster than almost anything else in football.
One outstanding tournament could instantly reshape how fans view his first year at Anfield.
The question now is simple:
Will the 2026 World Cup become the stage where Florian Wirtz finally reminds everyone exactly why Liverpool spent so much to bring him to England?
Editorial Disclaimer: This article is based entirely on publicly available information, statements, and reported events contained in the source material. No facts, quotes, outcomes, or statistics have been fabricated. Analysis and interpretations may evolve as new information emerges.