Florian Wirtz has opened up about his challenging start at Liverpool, crediting Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann for helping him through the difficult period. The 22-year-old playmaker, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen for £116 million, failed to score or assist in his first 12 Premier League appearances, leading to criticism as Liverpool's title defence faltered.
Speaking on German TV show Sportschau, Wirtz revealed that regular conversations with Nagelsmann were crucial. 'The coach always supported me during the difficult phase after my move to Liverpool and always had an open ear for me,' he said. 'He gave me tips and reassured me, that has brought us closer together.'
Wirtz admitted the initial struggles were tough but ultimately beneficial. 'It wasn't an easy phase,' he added. 'It's sometimes good that things don't always go upwards and that you experience a dip and grow stronger because of it. That's how I see it now as well, it has made me a bit stronger. I had to overcome resistance and adapt, I had to learn to become stronger and hold onto the ball.'
His form has since improved, with six goals and nine assists in 40 appearances across all competitions. He recently scored twice and assisted two goals for Germany in a 4-3 win over Switzerland, and is expected to be a key player for Nagelsmann at the World Cup this summer.
Reflecting on his perseverance, Wirtz told the BBC in January: 'I had to keep believing in myself that at one point it had to click because I was telling myself 'you did so good in Germany, you can't just forget how to play football like this here'. It was not easy to have the confidence on the pitch, but I think I dealt really good with it. Even when the start wasn't easy, I am so happy I decided like this to join Liverpool.'
