Iraola defends Wirtz's goalless Premier League run after £116m signing struggles to adapt

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has publicly defended Florian Wirtz after the £116m German playmaker failed to register a Premier League goal in his first seven appearances of the season, insisting the 21-year-old’s value to the team lies beyond the scoresheet.

“I’m delighted with Florian,” Iraola told the El Boro podcast. “He’s coming off three very good performances and I trust this is the start of finding his confidence again. We believe in him a lot. He is judged a lot in terms of goals and assists, but he is a player for whom that won’t be his strength.”

Iraola was direct about what Liverpool can realistically expect from the former Bayer Leverkusen man in front of goal. “He’s not a No.10 or a second striker who is going to score 15 goals this year,” the Spaniard said. “If he can do that, even better, but he’s a player who gives us a lot of control over the matches. He has a lot of confidence on the ball.”

Wirtz, who arrived from Leverkusen in a British record deal last summer, endured a difficult debut campaign as Liverpool finished fifth under Arne Slot, whose sacking preceded Iraola’s appointment. Now in his second season at Anfield, expectations have risen — yet the criticism has continued, with the club yet to settle on a position that consistently draws the best from him. He has been substituted before the 70th minute in three of Liverpool’s seven league games this term.

Iraola acknowledged the adaptation challenge facing his player. “In the Premier League, he has to get used to those duels. Here, duels are really hard to win. He’s in that process. It’s true he’s been here a year but he’s still acclimatising to this competition. But in terms of talent I have no doubt about him and in terms of attitude either. He is a player who works a lot.”

Wirtz’s most convincing display in a Liverpool shirt came in the Champions League victory over LASK, where he was heavily involved in the build-up play that benefited Bradley Barcola. Domestically, he has managed just two assists and no goals so far this season.

His presence in the starting XI also creates a structural puzzle for Iraola. When Wirtz operates as a No.10, only two central midfield slots remain available, pushing other senior players out of the side. Deploying him wide is an alternative, but that comes at the cost of one of Liverpool’s established wingers.