The Athletic FC Podcast Why Wirtz is struggling at Liverpool
15 snips
Oct 2, 2025 Seb Stafford-Bloor, a German football writer, teams up with Bundesliga commentator Kev Hatchard to unravel Florian Wirtz's slow start at Liverpool. They discuss how Wirtz's transition from Bayer Leverkusen, where he thrived as a key playmaker, to a more supporting role at Liverpool has impacted his performance. The duo dives into tactics, team dynamics, and the unique challenges of adapting to the Premier League, sharing insights on why patience is crucial for newcomers. Plus, they explore the broader trend of Bundesliga talents moving to the Premier League.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Early Struggles Are Contextual
- Florian Wirtz's slow start at Liverpool isn't surprising given Liverpool's overall transitional form and many new signings.
- He's shown quality but is around 6–7/10 while adapting socially and tactically to a new club.
Fee Fuels Overreaction
- Kevin Hatchard sees overreaction driven by the transfer fee, not the player's ability.
- He notes Wirtz's touches, movement and passing remain visible despite quicker Premier League tempo.
From Conductor To One Of Many
- Wirtz arrives as a conductor used to being the central figure at Leverkusen, but at Liverpool he is one of several creative options.
- That role change naturally reduces his direct influence and requires time to re-find influence.