Florian Wirtz silences the critics with a masterclass for Germany as Julian Nagelsmann defends the £116m Liverpool star’s “unjustified” criticism.
The £116m man has faced his fair share of flak since swapping Leverkusen for Anfield, but his latest international display suggests the Reds’ No.7 is ready to spearhead a massive summer.
If there were any lingering doubts about Florian Wirtz’s ability to handle the heavy weight of a £116million price tag, they were unceremoniously dismantled in Basel on Friday night.
In a chaotic 4-3 win over Switzerland, the German midfielder didn’t just participate he conducted the entire game.
Two goals. Two assists. A performance that served as a timely reminder of why the Reds sanctioned such a massive outlay last summer.
After a grueling start to life on Merseyside including an agonising 22-game goal drought Wirtz looks like a player transformed, finally shaking off the rust and a niggling back injury that threatened to derail his momentum.
For Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann, the struggles Wirtz endured during his opening months at Anfield aren’t a negative. In fact, he believes the scrutiny has forged a more resilient character.
That [adapting to Liverpool] was a completely normal situation that affects a young player. He’s someone with emotions and first has to deal with facing criticism. At that intensity, it wasn’t justified,” said Nagelsmann.
“We grew even closer, had many good conversations where he really opened up. He’s intelligent and very open, and you get a lot back from talking to him. He can take a lot from that phase and come out stronger than ever before.”
A world-class response
Germany’s defensive line looked porous at times, falling behind to a Dan Ndoye strike and later a Breel Embolo header. But every time the Swiss asked a question, Wirtz had the answer.
His flighted cross for Jonathan Tah provided the first equaliser, and his perfectly weighted through ball for Serge Gnabry ensured the sides went into the break level at 2-2. Then came the highlights that will have Liverpool fans licking their lips.
Eleven minutes into the second half, Wirtz unleashed a 33-yard thunderbolt that left Gregor Kobel helpless and when Switzerland threatened to snatch a draw through Joel Monteiro, Wirtz stepped up again in the 85th minute, dispatching a clinical winner from the edge of the area to end the hosts 10-match unbeaten run.
While the goals will grab the headlines, it’s the engine under the hood that has Nagelsmann most impressed. Playing as a left attacking midfielder, Wirtz’s defensive work-rate has become a hallmark of his game a trait that bodes well for the intensity of a full Premier League campaign.
“What sets him apart is his commitment – covering so much ground and working so hard as a left attacking midfielder is exceptional,” Nagelsmann continued.
“He’s already a name in world football, and if he keeps this up, he’ll remain at the very top for a long time at any club because he’s unbelievably good and always has the necessary energy.”
After scoring six in ten around the turn of the year, Wirtz is finally finding the consistency Liverpool fans craved. If this Basel masterclass is anything to go by, the “difficult” period is officially over.
