Florian Wirtz has failed to adapt but deserves "benefit of the doubt", Liverpool Champions League winner claims

Liverpool playmaker Florian Wirtz deserves the benefit of the doubt for his "pretty average" start in England, but the £116m man must "mature" quickly, a Reds Champions League winner has claimed.

Wirtz became the Reds' most expensive signing of all time for a couple of months this summer, signing for an initial £100m shortly before Alexander Isak's unprecedented £125m switch from Newcastle United on deadline day, but he has failed to live up to that price tag so far.

Wirtz provided the assist for Hugo Ekitike's goal in the Community Shield loss to Crystal Palace, but he is yet to directly contribute to a goal in the Premier League and has been criticised for operating too deep.

When asked by Sports Mole how the midfielder had adapted to life in England, Dietmar Hamann - a 2004-05 Champions League winner with the Reds - responded: "Well, he hasn’t. Obviously the fee was huge, but I think he’s an exceptional player and he’s tough as well.

"I’ve got no doubt whatsoever that he will succeed in England, but he has to mature now. The game is a different one. It’s quicker, it’s more physical and the first four performances have been pretty average to say the least.

Why Wirtz deserves "benefit of the doubt" for "average" Liverpool start

"I felt the second half against Arsenal was the first time he kind of contributed to Liverpool’s attacking play. But he’s got to score a goal. He’s got to do something to get his confidence back up.

"He scored for Germany the other day, a free kick. His confidence is obviously affected by the average start he’s had to his Liverpool career. But we’ve seen players who need a few weeks, a few months.

"He said in an interview that he might need a few more games. He shouldn’t need too many more. Still a young kid, but the start has not been good. You’ve got to give him the benefit of the doubt because the game is different in England."

Following his underwhelming August, Wirtz started both of Germany's World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Slovakia and Northern Ireland, failing to contribute to a 2-0 loss to the former on September 4.

However, the 22-year-old fired in a free kick to round off the scoring in a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland on Sunday, and he will soon return to Kirkby ahead of Sunday's Premier League battle with Burnley.

Could Wirtz's spot in Liverpool's XI come under threat?

Wirtz is yet to complete the full 90 minutes of a Premier League match for Liverpool, and his spot in the first XI could potentially come under threat soon, as Jeremie Frimpong has returned to training following a hamstring injury.

The Dutchman's availability offers Arne Slot another option at right-back alongside Dominik Szoboszlai, who has unexpectedly excelled in that role but may be moved back to a more familiar midfield position when Frimpong is fully fit once again.

Szoboszlai can also operate deeper, but Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are midfield mainstays, and leaving the Hungary international out of the lineup would deprive the Premier League champions of one of their most relentless runners.

As a result, it is not impossible to envisage Szoboszlai returning to the number 10 slot, flanked by Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo, whose stellar form of late means that he does not deserve to be dropped.

Alexander Isak will surely force his way into the XI when fully fit too, potentially forcing Ekitike out to the left, and Wirtz may soon have a fight on his hands to retain his spot if his output does not improve.

Another former Liverpool trophy winner has offered the midfielder some words of advice too, claiming that he must show one particular trait to make a name for himself in England.

Didi Hamann was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of Grosvenor Casino.