Liverpool manager Iraola defends Wirtz amid criticism over form

Florian Wirtz cost Liverpool up to £116 million. Right now, he has zero goals and one assist in five appearances this season. Andoni Iraola would like everyone to take a breath.

The Liverpool manager stepped in front of cameras on September 18, 2026, ahead of the club’s match against Bournemouth, and made his position clear: Wirtz should be evaluated the same way any other player would be, on what he contributes at Liverpool, not on the weight of the fee that brought him here.

What Iraola actually said

Iraola pointed to Wirtz’s work rate, his pressing, and his broader understanding of what the team requires from him positionally. Iraola also stressed collective performance over individual statistics, which fits the broader tactical identity he has been building at Anfield.

How Wirtz got here

Wirtz joined Liverpool in the summer of 2025 in a deal worth up to £116 million, with £100 million guaranteed and £16 million structured as potential add-ons. At the time, it was a British record transfer fee.

His debut season, 2025/26, offered genuine encouragement. Across 49 appearances in all competitions, Wirtz registered seven goals and between eight and ten assists.

Five games into the current campaign, the answer is inconclusive. No goals, one assist.

Klopp adds his voice

Iraola is not alone in pushing back. A day before the Liverpool manager’s press conference, Jürgen Klopp weighed in publicly on September 17, 2026, urging observers to look beyond the raw statistics and acknowledge the work Wirtz puts in.

Klopp specifically cited Wirtz’s work rate in training as a reason for optimism. The fact that both the current and a former Liverpool manager are publicly defending the same player within 24 hours of each other suggests the criticism has reached a volume that warranted a response.