Andoni Iraola has defended Florian Wirtz against criticism of his early-season output, arguing that the Liverpool playmaker’s contribution should be judged by his influence on the team rather than goals and assists alone. Wirtz has one Premier League assist and no league goals so far, but Iraola says his movement, pressing, ball retention and chance creation remain central to Liverpool’s attacking play.
The German international arrived from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee that could reach £116 million and has been under close scrutiny after a difficult first season at Anfield. He has started Liverpool’s first four competitive matches under Iraola, played the fifth-most minutes in the squad and covered more distance than any Liverpool player across the last three games.
Iraola pointed to Wirtz’s display in Liverpool’s 2–1 Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid as evidence that his impact is being underestimated. The 23-year-old created an excellent chance for Bradley Barcola, who narrowly missed after being played through, and was involved in Liverpool’s most encouraging attacking sequences during the match.
“Flo played very well against Atlético Madrid and I also think he has been unlucky,” Iraola said. “I remember the ‘goal’ he scored against Nottingham Forest. They gave it live, and then VAR disallowed it. He could have had very good assists but we haven’t finished them. That is why you cannot just play because of the numbers.”
The Liverpool head coach rejected the idea that attacking players should be assessed solely through direct goal contributions. “Whether a striker scores a lot of goals or he doesn’t, you have to look at the performances. Does he help us to play well? Yes. Well, someone will score the goals and someone will give the assists,” he said.
Iraola also stressed Wirtz’s importance without the ball. He believes the midfielder’s work rate and pressing have been comparable with, or better than, other Premier League No. 10s, even if those contributions are less visible than a goal or an assist.
Wirtz’s task is complicated by Liverpool’s revamped forward line. Barcola and Víctor Muñoz are new wide options, and Iraola expects the German to become more productive as he builds a clearer understanding of their preferred runs and passing lanes. “With Florian, he is key for us,” Iraola said. “I am not worried because he will quickly learn where Victor prefers the ball or where Bradley prefers the ball.”
Liverpool’s subsequent 0–0 draw with Fulham showed why the debate around Wirtz is unlikely to disappear immediately. He did not score, but he created two chances, completed three progressive carries and had three shots, none of which were on target. His expected-assist figure was just 0.06, reflecting a match in which Liverpool struggled collectively to create high-value opportunities against a compact Fulham defence.
Iraola’s position is clear: Wirtz must eventually produce more decisive moments given his price tag and role, but his current value cannot be reduced to the final pass or finish. If Liverpool’s new front line begins converting the opportunities he helps construct, the manager expects the numbers to follow.
