Liverpool manager Iraola defends Wirtz amid criticism over form

Florian Wirtz cost Liverpool up to £116 million. Right now, he has zero goals and one assist in five appearances this season. Andoni Iraola would like everyone to take a breath. The Liverpool manager stepped in front of cameras on September 18, 2026, ahead of the club’s match against Bournemouth, and made his position clear: Wirtz should be evaluated the same way any other player would be, on what he contributes at Liverpool, not on the weight of the fee that brought him here. What Iraola actually said Iraola pointed to Wirtz’s work rate, his pressing, and his broader understanding of what the team requires from him positionally. Iraola also stressed collective performance over individual statistics, which fits the broader tactical identity he has been building at Anfield. How Wirtz got here Wirtz joined Liverpool in the summer of 2025 in a deal worth up to £116 million, with £100 million guaranteed and £16 million structured as potential add-ons. At the time, it was a British record transfer fee. His debut season, 2025/26, offered genuine encouragement. Across 49 appearances in all competitions, Wirtz registered seven goals and between eight and ten assists. Five games into the cu...