Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has defended Florian Wirtz after another goalless Premier League outing, insisting the German playmaker is "not going to score 15 goals a season."
Wirtz, who joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen for a British record £116 million, is now in his second season at Anfield. He was part of a Liverpool side that finished fifth last season, leading to Arne Slot's sacking, and Iraola is now tasked with getting the best out of him.
Iraola backs Wirtz amid criticism
Speaking on the El Boro podcast, Iraola said: "I'm delighted with Florian. 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."
"He's not a No.10 or a second striker who is going to score 15 goals this year. No. I mean 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. Ultimately, we have to make him feel comfortable but he's probably feeling more comfortable in Champions League matches."
Wirtz has been substituted after 70 minutes or earlier in three of Liverpool's seven league games this season. He has provided two assists in the Premier League but is yet to score.
Adapting to Premier League duels
Iraola added: "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 performance in the Champions League win over LASK was arguably his best in a Liverpool shirt, with Bradley Barcola among the beneficiaries of his creativity. Domestically, however, he has struggled to influence games in the final third, a pattern that continued from last season.
Fitting the former Leverkusen man into the line-up has knock-on effects. If he plays as the No.10, only two midfield slots remain, leaving big names out. If he plays from the wing, he replaces one of the squad's several wingers.
