Liverpool star Florian Wirtz tipped to 'go straight to Bayern Munich' by recruitment expert

Liverpool star Florian Wirtz will likely return to the Bundesliga and join Bayern Munich within the next couple of years.

That is the opinion of experienced former Tottenham, Everton and Aston Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The 23-year-old joined the Reds from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth up to £116million just last summer, but has massively struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League.

Wirtz netted five goals and provided three assists in his opening 33 league games last season, and has begun this season just as slowly.

The Germany international scored 10 goals and provided 12 assists in just 31 games in his final Bundesliga season but has struggled to find those levels, fuelling speculation that Liverpool may well cut their losses.

There remains some hope that Andoni Iraola can unlock Wirtz, however, with many players having struggled in Arne Slot's final year.

Florian Wirtz has 'money hanging around his neck'

It would not be deceptive to say that just over a year ago, Wirtz was among the most exciting young players in world football.

The German exploded at Leverkusen, having scored 34 goals and provided 33 assists across the course of just the previous two seasons under Xabi Alonso.

Wirtz was the future of the Germany attack and Liverpool had pulled off a stunning coup by signing him, or so everybody thought.

"As I looked at it, I thought that he certainly didn't warrant that kind of fee. That immediately puts an added pressure on anybody when you're talking about a player costing that amount of money," King told Football Insider.

"I mean, he's only 23, and he had done well in the Bundesliga. I think he'll be going back to the Bundesliga, to be honest. I think if he continues as he is, he'll probably go straight back to Bayern Munich.

"There you would see an immediate difference in the way he plays and his attitude. I think Liverpool, at this moment in time, is too big for him. You've got that money hanging around your neck.

"Look at Alexander Isak, the first year he came in. He ended up trying so hard that he was picking up injuries nearly every bloody week. You know, overstretching, overreaching, not getting the service that he wanted.

"But now he looks as though he could be a very good signing. He could, but the other one is a million miles away."

Andon Iraola defends Wirtz

Again, Wirtz failed to make a big impression as Liverpool drew 0-0 with Fulham on Saturday.

"Flo played very well against Atletico Madrid, and I also think he has been unlucky," Iraola said after the game. "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.

"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.

"I am not too focused on numbers. Nowadays everything is about numbers, everyone tells players you have to assist, you have to score goals."