After a difficult first year, Germany international reflects on his record fee, rumoured tensions under Slot, and plans for next season
Florian Wirtz arrived at Liverpool carrying the weight of a record £116m fee and the expectation that one of Europe’s brightest young attacking players would immediately elevate a title-winning side.
But in his first season at Anfield he has had to adapt, stand against scrutiny and endure the collective frustration as Liverpool drifted through a deeply underwhelming campaign that few expected under Arne Slot.
The Germany international remains clear, however, that Anfield is the place for him.
“There are no regrets at all,” Wirtz told The Athletic. “I’m still happy to be here. I have big goals for next season because this season hasn’t gone as planned.”
Liverpool’s struggles this season have raised questions about the team’s identity. Mohamed Salah said on social media that the side had drifted from the “heavy metal” football played under Jurgen Klopp, and it sparked what many feared was a near-mutiny by the players, who all liked the Egyptian’s post, virtually a collective vote of no confidence on Slot.
But Wirtz said there has been no such thing. He insisted Salah’s comments were inflated beyond their meaning. To him and the rest of the squad, the message was simply a reminder from the club’s most experienced player that standards had slipped and improvement was required.
“The outside world is always trying to create something between the team and the manager,” Wirtz said. “But it’s totally different in this building. We are working well every day with this manager and his staff. There is no thought about not being behind the manager.”
Wirtz has also faced a lot of pressure due to the weight of his transfer fee. But the German has said he is not focusing on the cost. He is focusing instead on rediscovering the level that persuaded Liverpool to outmanoeuvre rivals last summer and make him a statement signing.
“You have to understand that it’s not your responsibility how much you cost,” Wirtz said. “The price came because of my performances before. You have to keep it out of your head and just focus on yourself to be a good player.”
