£116m Liverpool signing is yet to record a league goal or assist
Virgil van Dijk has warned Florian Wirtz he needs to block out the noise around his numbers for Liverpool, with the midfielder still waiting for a league goal or assist.
Wirtz thought he had scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool on Wednesday as they drew 1-1 with Sunderland at Anfield. However, his late effort to pull the champions back was ruled as an own goal by Nordi Mukiele. It means the German is still waiting for a first league goal or assist in 13 appearances since arriving for £116m in the summer.
“There’s a very good reason why a club like us bought him: he’s an outstanding, world-class player in my eyes who can only become even better but it will take a bit of time,” said Van Dijk.
“For him he has to stay level-headed. Don’t get too high, don’t get too low. Don’t get dragged into the outside world of when it’s very good or very bad and don’t get dragged into the numbers game.
“Nowadays there are a lot of eyes on you if you score goals or have an assist or keep clean sheets but it is also about what you see and the contribution you have for the team.
“He was involved in the equaliser but he did many other good things, in the last game [at West Ham] as well.”
Wirtz made a name for himself after dominating the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso. He was the centrepiece of the team that made history by winning the Bundesliga unbeaten in 2023-24.
“He just has to keep going,” said Van Dijk. “He is still such a young, talented boy. It’s about getting going. Start working and just enjoy being part of the biggest club in the world and fight for the badge.”
