Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has compared Florian Wirtz to Philippe Coutinho, saying the Germany international is a similar type of player but has a "totally different type of character". Wirtz has struggled to make his mark at Anfield since his £116million move from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, a fee that set a new British record at the time.
Struggles in Debut Season
The 23-year-old failed to live up to that price tag in his debut campaign, showing glimpses of brilliance without becoming the creative spark Liverpool needed as they finished fifth in the Premier League. He has continued to struggle in the early stages of the new season, drawing renewed scrutiny over his performances.
Heskey's Comparison and Warning
Heskey, who scored 60 goals in 223 appearances for Liverpool between 2000 and 2004, told Express Sport on behalf of Casinolyze: "I still think he's yet to find his feet and where he actually fits within this system."
"I mentioned that he looks similar to Coutinho, and Coutinho had a fantastic spell at Liverpool, so I was hoping that he could actually emulate that. But he's a totally different type of character."
He added: "The only worry is, how long do you give someone to find their feet? That's the problem, especially at a club like Liverpool where they don't have time for you to find your feet, you've got to hit the ground running. So he's found it difficult in that sense."
Fan Patience Running Out
Heskey believes Liverpool supporters have been forgiving but their patience will eventually run out if Wirtz continues to struggle. "Liverpool fans are forgiving. They've given him more than enough time and plenty of opportunity to get up to speed but that patience will run out," he said.
He also noted the adjustment from the German Bundesliga: "He is finding it difficult because it's a totally different mindset, a totally different game, and a totally different structure to the German Bundesliga."
