Florian Wirtz
LIV
Germany
Right
May 3, 2003
22
5'10"
154 lb
AM
LW
Creative Playmaker
LiverpoolAssists in rout
Wirtz assisted once to go with four shots (two on goal), three crosses (zero accurate) and eight chances created in Wednesday's 4-0 victory against Galatasaray.
Analysis: Wirtz added an assist, but perhaps most impressively he had a ridiculous eight chances created to go with it. The numbers haven't been incredible in his first season in England, but the volume is undeniable for Wirtz. As the attack continues to blend together and improve, Wirtz is set to be one of the most prolific playmakers in Europe.
Returns to action in Cup win
Wirtz (back) came off the bench and took two shots (one on goal) during Friday's FA Cup victory over Wolverhampton.
Analysis: Wirtz regained enough health to see a few minutes after missing three league games due to a back issue. The midfielder should be an option going forward, competing with Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones for the No. 10 spot. Despite some ups and downs throughout the season, Wirtz has scored six goals and provided five assists over 34 appearances (28 starts) across all competitions, and he was a consistent starter prior to the injury.
Late call against Wolves
Wirtz (back) will be a late fitness call for Friday's FA Cup clash against Wolves, according to coach Arne Slot. "He trained half and half yesterday with the team. What I mean with that is he was a 'joker', you say over here I think, so he made the next step in his rehab. So, let's see where he is today and if he then could be available for a few - a few - minutes tomorrow, in the best scenario."
Analysis: Wirtz has missed the last three matches with back issues and has not been able to train at full speed with the squad recently. The playmaker remains a doubt and will be a late fitness test for Friday's FA Cup clash against Wolves. Even if Wirtz makes the matchday squad, coach Arne Slot suggested he would likely be limited to just a short amount of minutes at best. Until he is fully fit again, Dominik Szoboszlai is expected to take on a larger role in the Reds' attacking midfield.
Out Tuesday, likely Friday too
Wirtz (back) is ruled out for Tuesday's Premier League clash against Wolves and could miss Friday's FA Cup play against them as well, coach Arne Slot said in the press conference. "Not anything different than what I said after the game [on Saturday]. The game tomorrow will probably come too soon and maybe the game at the weekend as well. Let's see how that ends up. But we hope to have him back somewhere next week. Maybe earlier. Maybe a bit later. But that timescale."
Analysis: Wirtz is still battling back issues and will not be available for Tuesday's Premier League clash against Wolves. The creative midfielder is also a major doubt for Friday's FA Cup rematch, with his status hinging on how he responds later in the week. Until he is fully fit, Dominik Szoboszlai is in line to keep his starting spot in the attacking midfield, especially with Jeremie Frimpong back in the fold and Joe Gomez a candidate to slot in at right-back once again.
Likely out Tuesday
Wirtz (back) is expected to remain out for Tuesday's clash against Wolverhampton, coach Arne Slot said in the press conference. "Now we are thinking it doesn't have to take too long, but Tuesday will probably be too early."
Analysis: Wirtz is expected to remain out for Tuesday's clash against Wolverhampton as he has not yet recovered from his back injury, though he could return next week. The German had started the eight matches prior to his setback, scoring three goals and adding one assist during that span, and his absence is a significant blow for his side. Dominik Szoboszlai is likely to continue operating in the No. 10 role behind Ugo Ekitike.
Sidelined indefinitely
Wirtz (back) has been ruled out indefinitely due to injury, coach Arne Slot confirmed in the press conference. "Don't expect Florian to be available. That's a disappointment, something I didn't expect after last week. Sometimes that's how things can evolve. At this moment of time, I don't know [how long he will be out]."
Analysis: Wirtz is battling back issues and will be sidelined for the foreseeable future. There's no clear timetable on his return, and that's a tough hit for a squad now forced to reshuffle its attacking blueprint. With Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) shaking off his injury and back in the mix, Dominik Szoboszlai has the tools to drop into the number 10 slot, pull the strings, and dictate the rhythm right through the engine room.
Late scratch Sunday
Wirtz was a late scratch from Sunday's match against Nottingham Forest.
Analysis: Wirtz was initially in the starting XI for Sunday but was dropped just before kickoff, with Curtis Jones starting in his place. Little information is available at the time, although it appears the midfielder has suffered an injury. The club will likely take him for testing after the outing, hoping their summer signing is only feeling discomfort and can make a return next outing.
Goal, assist in win
Wirtz scored one goal and assisted once from one shot and two chances created in Saturday's 4-1 win against Newcastle United.
Analysis: Wirtz continues to be very good at football, a slow start encouraged doubters of this transfer, but as he's gotten comfortable Wirtz has been brilliant. He added another two goal contributions and was a consistent threat throughout Saturday's clash. Unsurprisingly he looks to be one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League.
Nets Wednesday
Wirtz scored one goal to go with four shots (one on goal) and two chances created in Wednesday's 6-0 victory over Qarabag.
Analysis: Wirtz scored Wednesday, another goal to continue his hot run of form. The attacking midfielder has been excellent in recent weeks and is continuing to show why he was such a high-profile transfer. Despite his strong individual play the results haven't been there for Liverpool, with links to Wirtz's Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso growing daily.
Nets brilliantly
Wirtz scored one goal to go with four shots (three on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and three chances created in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Burnley.
Analysis: Wirtz finished with aplomb into the top corner during Saturday's draw and was brilliant throughout the match. Wirtz got off to a slow start in Liverpool but he now has four goals and two assists in his last seven matches. He's been brilliant across all competitions and now the stellar volume he's had all season is starting to find the back of the net.
Scores in draw
Wirtz scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Sunday's 2-2 draw against Fulham.
Analysis: Wirtz scored his second Liverpool goal with a nice finish during Sunday's draw. The attacking midfielder got off to a slow start but has slowly come into his own in recent weeks. If he can continue to get used to the team and league he has potential as one of the top performers in England, despite a slow start to his time on Merseyside.
Not 100-percent fit
Wirtz has been dealing with a hamstring issue and only went 66 minutes in the 0-0 draw against Leeds on Thursday, according to manager Arne Slot. "Two days after the [Wolves] game he felt his hamstring still too much. That's why he couldn't train, he only trained [on Wednesday]."
Analysis: Given that Wirtz wasn't training, it was a bit of a surprise that he still started Thursday. Nevertheless, he's started three straight matches, showing a bit more life with a bigger role in the attack, totaling eight shots and seven chances created in that period. However, with Cody Gakpo back from his injury, there will be more competition for starts and minutes in the coming weeks.
Scores first Premier League goal
Wirtz scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) and three chances created in Saturday's 2-1 victory against Wolverhampton.
Analysis: Wirtz scored his first Premier League goal as Hugo Ekitike slipped through him. The goal means that the midfielder has picked up his first goal and first assist in the last two gameweeks after a difficult start to his time in the Premier League. He created three chances in the game, which was the sixth time this season that he has created at least this amount in the Premier League. Of his 22 shots this season, he has put seven on target and has yet to put more than one on target in a game.
Available against Wolves
Wirtz (hamstring) was forced off due to cramps against Tottenham but is fully fit and available for Saturday's clash against Wolves, coach Arne Slot confirmed in the press conference. "Yes. Another example of a player who has to play a lot and is adjusting better and better and better to the Premier League. In an ideal world, I could have rested him a little bit more. He will be there for us again on Saturday."
Analysis: Wirtz raised some injury concerns when getting off the pitch against Tottenham while holding his hamstring, but that issue was confirmed to be only cramps. The playmaker will be fit and available for Saturday's clash against Wolves and will likely reclaim a starting role in the frontline to build on his best outing for Liverpool so far against Spurs.
Potentially injures hamstring
Wirtz was taken off the field in injury time of Saturday's match against Tottenham due to an apparent hamstring injury.
Analysis: Wirtz looks to have suffered an injury late into Saturday's contest, with the attacker needing to leave the field while grabbing at his hamstring. This is something to watch as the club is about to face four games in two weeks, as Wirtz is now the third player injured in the contest. He will head in for some testing after the match, with more likely to be decided in the coming days.
Still waiting for goal
Wirtz generated four shots (one on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and three chances created in Wednesday's 1-1 draw versus Sunderland.
Analysis: Wirtz thought he had his first Premier League goal, when he finished into the top corner, but in the end it was ruled an own goal. The attacking midfielder has been frustrated with Liverpool as he creates chances frequently, but none of them find the back of the net. He created three more chances during Wednesday's draw, as well as taking four shots.
Single shot Sunday
Wirtz registered one shot (one on goal) and one chance created in Sunday's 2-0 victory against West Ham United.
Analysis: Wirtz took one shot and created one chance Sunday, another solid performance that was left without a goal contribution. That's been the story of life in Liverpool for the German playmaker. The attacking midfielder remains threatening when on the pitch, but he just can't consistently find end product. Wirtz should remain a top contributor moving forward.
Staring against West Ham
Wirtz (strain) is in the starting XI for Sunday's match against West Ham.
Analysis: Wirtz was looking at training Saturday ahead of Sunday's match against appears to have done so, with the attacker finding a spot in the starting XI immediately after a strain. He has started in all but four of the league games he has been an option for this campaign, and is likely to remain in that role, although he is still in search of his first league goal contribution.
Could train Saturday
Wirtz (strain) could return to training Saturday, manager Arne Slot told media during Thursday's press conference. "Florian will have his final day of rehab tomorrow. So, if that all goes well, he could train with the team on Saturday."
Analysis: It's unclear if Wirtz would be included on the matchday squad with only one training session under his belt, but given the recent results, Liverpool need all the help they can get to turn things around. Wirtz has been struggling to perform since joining the club in the summer, though, and he's yet to record a goal or an assist in 11 Premier League appearances (seven starts) this season.
Set to miss time
Wirtz (undisclosed) suffered a muscle injury and is ruled out for some time, coach Arne Slot said in the press conference, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Analysis: Wirtz returned from international duty with a muscle injury and will miss some time, likely up to two weeks to recover from the issue. This is a blow for the playmaker because he has been struggling to perform for the Reds since his arrival and was finally seeing decent playing time recently to work toward that. Until he recovers Cody Gakpo is expected to regain a starting role on the left wing for Liverpool.
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