Florian Wirtz responds to critics and admits struggling after Liverpool transfer | Football | Sport
Florian Wirtz believes he has overcome his initial Liverpool struggles, declaring that he continues to grow since completing his switch to the Premier League. The German starlet endured a tough acclimatisation period following his high-profile arrival from Bayer Leverkusen.
Nevertheless, Wirtz is now cementing himself as an indispensable component of the Reds’ setup and is brimming with confidence after an outstanding international break with Germany, producing two goals and two assists in a 4-3 triumph over Switzerland. He completed his move to the Premier League champions for £116million during the summer, and was required to be patient before truly demonstrating his capabilities at Anfield.
Wirtz was part of the squad travelling to the French capital as Liverpool seek to replicate their first-leg performance in Paris 12 months ago.
Liverpool will be hungry for revenge against Luis Enrique’s side, who defeated the Reds on their way to their first-ever Champions League title last season after recovering from a first-leg defeat by triumphing on penalties at Anfield.
Wirtz has candidly admitted that his maiden stint under Arne Slot was anything but plain sailing, yet remains assured that he has turned a corner and can reach greater heights.
He told TNT Sports: “I know that they paid a lot for me. I still think that I’m improving, it was a difficult start for me because I wanted to impact the team immediately.
“I have to accept it, I’m feeling very good now on a physical level. I’m feeling good in England now because this was a big change for me, now I’m trying to make the team better.”
Wirtz will be desperate to produce a standout display when Liverpool take on Paris Saint-Germain in the opening leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
The odds are firmly stacked against the six-time champions, whose disappointing campaign has been further blighted by their humiliating FA Cup demolition at the hands of Manchester City.
The defeat at the Etihad Stadium extinguished Liverpool’s hopes of claiming domestic silverware this season, a campaign in which they have also fallen short in their bid to retain their Premier League crown.
PSG are the reigning Champions League holders and the backdrop to Liverpool’s trip is overshadowed by their turbulent form in the top flight this term.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Wirtz revealed that matches of this magnitude are exactly the occasions he has always longed to be involved in.
He said: “These are the games you want to play as a player and I dreamt of when I came to this club.
“We try everything to do a good game tomorrow and next week also at Anfield. So yeah, these are the games you want to play as a player and for sure come through this round.”
