Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has publicly backed Florian Wirtz ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth, the Spaniard's first return to the Vitality Stadium since leaving in the summer.
The Reds travel to the South Coast having started the season with three draws and one victory, while Bournemouth remain winless. Iraola's successor at the Vitality Stadium, Marco Rose, will be in the opposition dugout for the 2pm kick-off.
Iraola's verdict on Wirtz
Wirtz, who has registered just one assist in five matches this season, has faced heavy criticism since his £116.5million move from Bayer Leverkusen. The 23-year-old has scored seven goals and provided nine assists in 52 appearances for Liverpool, and was this week called up to Jurgen Klopp's first-ever Germany squad.
Speaking ahead of the trip, Iraola said: "He should be judged like everybody else, whether he plays well or doesn't play well. Mostly, I always say, 'How does the team play when you are on the pitch?'"
"I am very happy with Florian, I rate him very highly, he understands what we need from him. He is trying to help in every aspect of the game. Obviously we want him to have assists and goals also, but he is helping us in a lot of different areas."
Owen's concern over Kerkez
Milos Kerkez has also come under scrutiny, with former Liverpool striker Michael Owen expressing doubts about the Hungarian full-back's form. Owen told TeamTalk: "The full-back position is a real problem for Liverpool and it pains me to say that. A handful of years ago they had the best full-backs in the world."
"Trent and Robbo, it was just unbelievable, the numbers they were posting and how well they were playing. It was a really strong position and all of a sudden it has been ripped up. It is a real problem. Milos Kerkez has struggled since being there. He looks nervous and lost in the red shirt and the shirt looks heavy on him."
