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الخارجية الأمريكية: ترمب على استعداد للعمل مع أي طرف يشكل شريكا جادا لتحقيق السلام في السودان • Lokpobiri seeks faster investment decisions, says delays hurt oil, gas sector • Kebbi tackles ADC over call to review 21 professors’ appointments • Football Daily | Madrid, Mourinho and the fight for neutrality in row with Javier Tebas • Unpaid allowances, work permit issues: McCarthy lifts lid on Harambee Stars woes ahead of AFCON qualifier • NSCDC arrests three over alleged NNPC pipeline vandalism in Abuja • International break preview: USMNT's next generation, Messi's farewell, AFCON qualifying • FG orders halt to child labour in mining, other sectors • Jos DisCo deploys security agencies after NAF clash • ‘I’m back, keep crying’ — Nwabali tells critics after return to squad • Pipeline vandalism: NSCDC arrests truck driver, two others • Uzodimma approves recruitment of 6,030 teachers • We’ll engage 4,000 influencers to promote Tinubu’s projects – Umahi • England still carrying ‘scar’ of World Cup exit – Saka • VIDEO: Boy swept away by flood in Enugu rescued after 24 hours • Unpaid allowances, work permit issues: McCarthy lifts lid on Harambee Stars turmoil ahead of AFCON qualifier • Wanahabari wang’atwa sikio habari za mazingira • Wananchi wataka fidia stahiki kupisha mgodi • The Egyptian Illusion of Guardianship Over Nile River Demolished Foreever • Ethiopia Maintains Restraint Amid Unfolding 'Trojan Horse' Axis Provocation • الخارجية الأمريكية: ترمب على استعداد للعمل مع أي طرف يشكل شريكا جادا لتحقيق السلام في السودان • Lokpobiri seeks faster investment decisions, says delays hurt oil, gas sector • Kebbi tackles ADC over call to review 21 professors’ appointments • Football Daily | Madrid, Mourinho and the fight for neutrality in row with Javier Tebas • Unpaid allowances, work permit issues: McCarthy lifts lid on Harambee Stars woes ahead of AFCON qualifier • NSCDC arrests three over alleged NNPC pipeline vandalism in Abuja • International break preview: USMNT's next generation, Messi's farewell, AFCON qualifying • FG orders halt to child labour in mining, other sectors • Jos DisCo deploys security agencies after NAF clash • ‘I’m back, keep crying’ — Nwabali tells critics after return to squad • Pipeline vandalism: NSCDC arrests truck driver, two others • Uzodimma approves recruitment of 6,030 teachers • We’ll engage 4,000 influencers to promote Tinubu’s projects – Umahi • England still carrying ‘scar’ of World Cup exit – Saka • VIDEO: Boy swept away by flood in Enugu rescued after 24 hours • Unpaid allowances, work permit issues: McCarthy lifts lid on Harambee Stars turmoil ahead of AFCON qualifier • Wanahabari wang’atwa sikio habari za mazingira • Wananchi wataka fidia stahiki kupisha mgodi • The Egyptian Illusion of Guardianship Over Nile River Demolished Foreever • Ethiopia Maintains Restraint Amid Unfolding 'Trojan Horse' Axis Provocation

September 23, 2026|15:24

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Football

Florian Wirtz does not look like a £116m player but it is early to write him off

The Guardian Football about 1 hour 1 mins read

The 23-year-old playmaker has been disappointing for Liverpool but has he really been that bad?

By Opta Analyst

When Florian Wirtz signed for Liverpool in the summer of 2025, there was only one logical assumption. The Premier League champions at the time had recruited one of the hottest young talents in world football – a key player in the Bayer Leverkusen team that had won the double in 2023-24 and a star in the Germany team. An exciting and productive young attacking midfielder being added to the best team in England? How could this not work?

Football has a habit of flipping the script, though. Last season was difficult for Liverpool for several reasons, and Wirtz, along with other new arrivals, struggled to make the impact expected of a £116m player. There were conversations among fans this summer about how long he and fellow nine-figure signing Alexander Isak should be given before difficult questions needed be asked. The broad consensus was until Christmas.

This article was sourced from an external publication.

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