German legend Rudi Voller has backed Florian Wirtz to overcome his early struggles at Liverpool and ‘show the English’ what he’s really made of. 

The £116million signing has made an underwhelming start at Anfield, with no goals or assists in the Premier League and Champions League. 

Liverpool is currently struggling, having lost twice in a week to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, with the 22-year-old player becoming a focal point of criticism.

However, Voller, a former star who netted 47 goals in 90 matches for both West Germany and Germany and enjoyed a successful club career with teams like Werder Bremen and Roma, has defended Wirtz.

He told Bild: ‘Florian is playing in a new league and a new club. These are normal adjustment problems. 

Florian Wirtz has had an underwhelming start to life at Liverpool after signing for £116million

‘Almost every professional has them. I have no doubt that with his running and playing ability, he will make the breakthrough.’

Wirtz is showing glimpses of what he is capable of and has impressive running numbers and chance creation stats. 

In the Premier League, Wirtz has managed to create 21 scoring opportunities, a feat only equaled by Jack Grealish, yet his teammates have been unable to capitalize on these chances, leaving Wirtz still looking to make a significant match-winning impact in a Liverpool jersey.

Carragher suggested that Arne Slot should consider benching Wirtz, stating on CBS: “Currently, I feel the team’s balance is off, and Florian Wirtz is obviously the standout issue.”

He continued, “He hasn’t been performing well. Being a young player adapting to a new league, he has ample time ahead at Liverpool but for now, I feel he should step aside. Liverpool should revert to their form from last season, build confidence, and establish defensive solidity.”

‘Because right now it is a mess.’

The former Liverpool defender’s remarks came after Wayne Rooney had said Wirtz damages the balance of the side.  

An ex-Manchester United forward commented on his BBC podcast: “It has been challenging for him, undoubtedly. He’s likely searching within to find solutions and trying to understand and resolve his issues.”

Wirtz was unable to provide the key moment in the abject loss against Galatasaray

Jamie Carragher said he thinks Wirtz should be taken out of the team 

‘I think he’s played okay, but when you sign so many players like Liverpool have, and they’ve signed basically a whole new front line while also having Mo Salah there as well, then they’re all competing.

‘And I think Wirtz, he’s the one who’s probably not doing as well. He’s got so much ability but for me, I don’t see where he gets into the team.’

He continued: ‘It was a lot of money and I think Wirtz actually damages the balance of Liverpool, how they play. But he’s a top player and I’m sure he will get better, of course he will. But he’s had a slow start and I think there’s no denying that.’

Wirtz is yet to play a full 90 minutes in the Premier League and is still adjusting to his new home and new team-mates. 

He will be desperate to prove Voller right before long and a strong performance this weekend against Chelsea would be a welcome change as Liverpool aim to bounce back from their consecutive defeats. 

Wirtz himself has spoken about his form and in an interview with Sky Germany, the 22-year-old admitted: ‘Yes, of course I would have liked to have scored a goal or collected a few points. But no matter what anyone says, I’m staying cool.

Voller is backing Wirtz to turn it around and show the English what he’s made of 

And Wirtz added that there’s nobody who has higher expectations than himself to deliver in for Arne Slot’s men and reveal the advice he is tired of being told ‘constantly’. 

He went on: ‘I don’t want to constantly hear “give it time, give it time.” Instead, I simply try to do it better each time than before.

‘Sometimes there are just phases where things aren’t going well for you. I haven’t had that very often in my career. 

‘Once I get through it—that might be harsh, because I’m not playing badly, I just haven’t got the points (goals and assists) yet — it will come at some point, and then everything will be fine.

‘It’s no secret that I’d like to have more so far, but I’m patient, and as I just said, I know full well that I can play good football. Sooner or later, I’m sure that things will return to normal.’

‘No matter what anyone says, I stay cool. I just try to do better every time than before.’