Two of Florian Wirtz’s fellow countrymen have leapt to the defence of Liverpool’s £116m summer signing
Florian Wirtz has begun to silence his critics with his performances in his last two matches. The £116m summer signing has arguably been Liverpool’s best player during that time.
Wirtz was excellent as Liverpool returned to winning ways in the Premier League on Sunday with a 2-0 triumph at West Ham United. And it was his run and shot, which deflected in off Nordi Mukiele, that got the Reds out of jail in their 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland on Wednesday.
The fact that his effort went down as an own goal means Wirtz is still waiting for his first Premier League goal following his big-money move from Bayer Leverkusen.
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The 22-year-old is also yet to provide an assist in the English top flight, although he does have two in the Champions League.
And that lack of tangible return has led the Germany international to be criticised by pundits.
But one of his Die Mannschaft team-mates has blasted those questioning Wirtz.
Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade, unlike his Germany colleague, has made a flying start to life in the Premier League following his summer switch from Stuttgart.
The £69m forward has scored five goals in his first 11 league games and he has no doubt that Wirtz will come good.
Confirming he had spoke to the Liverpool man, Woltemade said in an interview with Stern: “We spoke briefly about it when we met up with the national team.
“I find this debate surrounding Flo absurd. It’s a pseudo-discussion.
“Anyone who understands anything about football can see what incredible abilities he has. Flo will make his way, even in the Premier League.”
Another Germany international backing the playmaker is Leeds United’s Lukas Nmecha, who like Wirtz and Woltemade, made the move to the Premier League in the summer.
Manchester City academy graduate Nmecha, who signed for the newly promoted Whites on a free transfer from Wolfsburg, told Sky Sport: “I think a lot of people thought that after this transfer they might even win the league after last season, but it just shows the strength of the league.
“Players have to fit in with the teams. Adapting is always a challenge. We all know, for example, how good Flo is. He just needs a little time to adapt.
“I think that’s completely normal. But we’re (Leeds) also new to the league; we all have to adapt. Sometimes that takes a few games, and I think we’re slowly getting there. And hopefully, the points will follow.
“Every now and then, I send a message (to Wirtz), but he’s a good guy. I also have a few friends, Jeremie (Frimpong) in Liverpool, with whom I was at City. I asked him how he was doing and all that, but yeah, I think that’s just the league.
“It’s very different from German football. But he definitely has the quality. You can see that. Even when he plays for the national team. That kind of thing will work in any league.”
Nmecha was part of the Leeds side that warmed up for their home clash with Wirtz and Liverpool on Saturday (5.30pm) with a shock 3-1 win over high-flying Chelsea at Elland Road on Wednesday.
