Could Liverpool Part Ways with £116m Florian Wirtz? Former Midfielder Comments on Transfer Timing Amid Premier League Struggles

Florian Wirtz's Premier League Challenges at Liverpool

Florian Wirtz made headlines as the most expensive player in British football after his £116 million ($157m) transfer to Liverpool in 2025. Despite the hype around his talent, the 23-year-old German playmaker has struggled to find his rhythm in the Premier League. Dietmar Hamann, former Liverpool midfielder and fellow German, shared insights with GOAL about when transfer talks could arise for Wirtz.

Wirtz’s Goal Contributions So Far

Hailed as a generational talent, Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen, where he had already claimed a Bundesliga title. Expectations were high that his creativity would make an immediate impact in England. Yet, Liverpool's slow start to the 2025-26 season mirrored Wirtz’s own difficulties. He recorded only seven goals and seven assists, which fell short of what fans and analysts anticipated. Questions about his influence and worth to the team have surfaced as a result.

When Could Liverpool Consider Offers for Wirtz?

Although Liverpool invested heavily in Wirtz, patience may be limited. The club might give him only two seasons to prove his value before contemplating a future without him. Hamann, speaking in association with Betinia NJ, said Wirtz must begin impacting matches more consistently this season to avoid speculation about his departure.

“He’s got to start playing well. He has to start influencing the game. I think he’s a player who floats. He probably hasn’t earned the full respect from teammates yet, because they need confidence that when he gets the ball multiple times, something will happen. That’s not been the case.”

Hamann added that Wirtz has been working hard defensively but sometimes overcompensates, losing balance between attack and defense. His role is to create and score goals rather than focus on ball-winning. Only a few matches last season showed this potential, which hasn’t satisfied expectations.

“The Premier League is more physical. Some great players needed time to adjust. If Wirtz doesn’t start influencing games in the next few weeks, by the international break there will be talk about whether the club should have signed him, and perhaps even him questioning if this is the right fit.”

Debate Over Wirtz’s Ideal Position

The question remains whether Wirtz performs best as a central playmaker (No.10) or as a wide forward drifting inside from the left. Hamann weighed in on the matter:

“He was bought to be the main man. It’s not just about the position. If a No.10 isn’t creating chances or scoring enough, someone else might have to take the spot, especially with new arrivals like Bradley Barcola. It’s a tough situation for players in England.”

Looking Ahead for Wirtz and Liverpool

Wirtz is locked into a contract until 2030, but to remain a key figure, he needs to elevate his contributions quickly. Liverpool, now managed by Andoni Iraola, started the 2026-27 season with two draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. Their next match is against Ipswich on Friday, offering Wirtz another chance to prove his worth.

• Transfer fee: £116 million ($157 million)
• Age: 23 years old
• Goals for Liverpool (2025-26): 7
• Assists for Liverpool (2025-26): 7
• Contract length: Until 2030
• Recent Liverpool results: 2-2 draws vs Newcastle, Nottingham Forest
• Upcoming fixture: Ipswich Town vs Liverpool, 4 Sept 2026, 21:00