Gary Lineker Supports Florian Wirtz Despite Slow Liverpool Start
Florian Wirtz has had a slow beginning to his career at Liverpool, but Gary Lineker remains confident the German international will succeed at Anfield. Lineker praised Wirtz's football skills and emphasized his prior performances suggest he will eventually prove his value to the Reds.
Record Signing and Early Challenges
Liverpool began their summer transfer window by signing the highly sought-after Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for a British record fee of £116 million. Despite the high expectations, Wirtz has yet to score or provide an assist in the Premier League. He was also a substitute in Liverpool's recent 2-0 victory over Aston Villa.
Expert Opinions on Wirtz's Potential
At 22 years old, Wirtz faces growing scrutiny, but both Gary Lineker and Micah Richards believe he possesses the talent needed to thrive at Liverpool.
“At the moment he is not up to speed for the Premier League, but he spent £100m on him, but 100% it was the right decision that he made,” said Richards on the Rest is Football podcast.
Lineker described the German star as an "exceptional" talent, underpinning his faith in Wirtz's future success at the club.
Context of Liverpool's Transfers
- The club invested heavily in Wirtz but has also experienced significant player departures.
- Richards acknowledged the difficulty in replacing players like Trent Alexander-Arnold but believes Liverpool are returning to their successful approach from last season.
“Liverpool now go back to what they did last season.”
This suggests a focus on rebuilding and adapting to recent changes in the squad.
Author's summary: Despite a slow start and heavy price tag, Florian Wirtz's exceptional talent and past achievements convince experts he will overcome early challenges to succeed at Liverpool.