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Florian Wirtz has made a slow start to his Liverpool career after a blockbuster $157 million summer transfer, but German national teammate Serge Gnabry is "certain" he will succeed.
Wirtz signed for Liverpool this summer in a club-record transfer, only for it to be eclipsed later in the window after Alexander Isak arrived from Newcastle United. Wirtz, 22, is seen as one of the best attacking midfielders in world soccer, but has struggled to adjust to life in England.
The German midfielder registered an assist on his Liverpool debut, during a defeat to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield. However, he has yet to score or assist for Liverpool this season, but Gnabry is in no doubt that Wirtz will become a star.
Wirtz was benched for Liverpool's last Premier League game against Chelsea, but came on during the 2-1 defeat. Wirtz was also benched for Liverpool's intense rivalry with Everton earlier this season, but head coach Arne Slot insisted it was a tactical decision and not based on form.
Due to the size of the Wirtz fee, the player has faced scrutiny for his slow start, and some Liverpool fans have also expressed concerns. However, Gnabry believes that Wirtz needs time to adapt, and it's impossible not to succeed.
Gnabry and Wirtz are in the Germany squad to face Luxembourg and Northern Ireland. Gnabry plays for Bayern Munich, a team that pursued Wirtz before Liverpool agreed to a deal, and is now a veteran on the national team.
"We have many young players. So I try to help the young players, like players like Mesut [Ozil], Sami [Khedira], Thomas [Muller] did with me when I first arrived to the national team," Gnabry said.
"But the most important thing is to show your leadership qualities on the pitch and lead by example." Gnabry then focused on Wirtz, someone he has taken under his wing on national team duty.
"We all try to help each other as teammates, especially the ones in a difficult situation," Gnabry said. "I don’t have the impression that Flo is not doing well.
"He’s laughing and training well. Nobody doubts his qualities, and he shouldn’t either. Give the guy some time, it was a big move – but he has huge qualities and I’m certain that he will succeed."
Wirtz came under criticism when first dropped by Slot for Dominik Szoboszlai earlier this season, but the Liverpool head coach set the record straight. Slot reminded the media that Liverpool had three games in one week, including a midweek Champions League clash.
"Like I said it’s three games in seven days, not in eight days, this is Sunday, Wednesday then Saturday," Slot told TNT Sports. "This is one of the most intense games that we have to play, so we try to manage it during Burnley and Atletico.
"For today, I think Szoboszlai, who played both of those games as well, is more used to the intensity of the Premier League and this program than Florian, who is coming from Germany. So it’s only to do with so many games in limited time. I think he will feature, but not from the start."
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