When Liverpool splashed a staggering £116 million on Florian Wirtz this summer, it was meant to be a statement signing : a playmaker capable of lighting up Anfield with the same flair he showed at Bayer Leverkusen. Sixteen goals and fifteen assists last season promised fireworks. Yet, nine games into his Liverpool career, Wirtz has yet to score or assist, leaving the Anfield faithful restless.
The early struggles have sparked inevitable comparisons to Darwin Núñez. The Uruguayan arrived with a hefty price tag and endured a rocky start, but eventually turned into a cult hero for his relentless energy and big-game moments.
Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch believes Wirtz deserves the same patience. *“If you attack one of their players, the fans bring you on the inside and you are one of them,”* Crouch explained, highlighting how Liverpool supporters rally behind players under fire. He insists that Wirtz has the raw quality to turn doubters into believers — if he’s given the time and backing to adapt.
## Klopp Under Pressure
Liverpool’s recent defeats to Crystal Palace and Calais have exposed worrying cracks in cohesion and decision-making. Fans are beginning to question Jürgen Klopp’s selection choices, while rivals sense an opportunity to pounce. Still, Crouch is confident the squad — packed with proven winners — has the resilience to rediscover its spark in both the Premier League and Champions League.
For Wirtz, however, the challenge feels personal. He’s not just Liverpool’s record signing; he’s also the player carrying the weight of expectation from a fanbase hungry for fresh magic.
## Tough Tests Ahead
The road ahead doesn’t get any easier. Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea before a season-defining clash against Manchester United at Anfield. Then comes a crucial Champions League trip to Frankfurt. These games could prove pivotal in shaping Wirtz’s early legacy on Merseyside.
## Will He Rise or Fall?
Wirtz himself has downplayed the pressure, insisting his mammoth price tag “doesn’t matter.” But even he admits that adapting to the Premier League has been his toughest challenge yet.
So, the big question lingers: will Wirtz follow in Núñez’s footsteps — weathering the storm to become an Anfield favourite — or will the burden of expectation prove too heavy?
With the spotlight glaring and the fixtures piling up, Liverpool fans won’t have to wait long for the answer.
