Liverpool have been told that they might have to sell Florian Wirtz after a tough start to life at Anfield.
During the summer transfer window, Liverpool broke their transfer record to sign Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth a reported fee of £116 million.
However, the 22-year-old has endured a tough start to life on Merseyside amid Liverpool's dreadful form under Arne Slot.
So far in the 25/26 season, Wirtz has only managed six goals and eight assists in 37 matches across all competitions.
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Speaking ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield, former Chelsea and Celtic man Craig Burley has urged the club to cash in on the German playmaker.
As reported by The Express, Burley said on ESPN FC: "Let’s stop beating around the bushes with Florian Wirtz. I’m fed up. What he did in Germany is what he did in Germany. That’s gone. He’s so lightweight in this Liverpool team, it’s unbelievable. He’s so lacking conviction in the final third, it’s incredible.
"If it’s not goals, where’s the passing? Where’s those dribbling mazy runs he was doing at Leverkusen, beating three or four [players], dropping his shoulder and scoring? Where is it?"
He continued: "He’s gonna eventually play his best football as a number 10, and if he doesn’t, Liverpool are gonna have to sell him. He’s been a little bit of a waste so far this season."
Speaking back in January, Wirtz spoke about his tough start at Liverpool.
He said to the BBC: "I was very excited when I came and wanted to be an instant success. It didn't come like this. I just had to stay strong in my mind and keep believing in myself that at one point it has to click.
"I was telling myself: 'You did so good in Germany, you can't just forget how to play football here.' It was not completely different football. It was not easy always to have the confidence on the pitch, but I think I dealt really well with it and my people around me helped."
Wirtz added: "Now I am feeling much better than at the start of the season. It's nice to play with players like Hugo [Ekitike]."
Topics: Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, Football
Marcus Chan