Paul Scholes surprisingly says why Liverpool are failing Florian Wirtz
Liverpool’s poor run of form continued as Arne Slot’s side fell to a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea, with summer signing Florian Wirtz continuing to struggle.
Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea marked their third defeat in a row, the first time that has happened under Slot’s leadership.
Conor Bradley was criticised by Gary Neville for his poor showing as Liverpool’s defence as a whole struggled to handle Chelsea’s forward players.
Gary Lineker focused on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence in his analysis of the game, as Liverpool’s fullback reinforcements flatter to deceive.
Paul Scholes says Liverpool’s other midfielders are hurting Florian Wirtz’s performances
Wirtz has struggled the most to live up to his pre-signing hype since moving from Bayer Leverkusen, and the 22-year-old is yet to register a goal or an assist through Liverpool’s first 11 games of the season.
Speaking on The Overlap’s Fan Debate show, Paul Scholes and Jamie Carragher discussed the performances of Wirtz so far this season.
Scholes said: “I think for Wirtz, because the midfield players around him aren’t in form, he’s not playing as well.
“Last year, Gravenberch was brilliant; he sat there and controlled everything, but it hasn’t been the same this season. When you play the number 10 position, you’ve got to have security in behind you so you can relax.”
Paul Scholes says it’s ‘only a matter of time’ before things work out for Florian Wirtz
Wirtz lit up the Bundesliga across the last two seasons, gliding with the ball at his feet and looking nigh on impossible to slow down.
Scholes hinted at his qualities as he continued: “There’s obvious talent there with Wirtz, I love watching him, he’s just not quite ready, but you could say that about seven or eight of Liverpool’s team at the moment.
“It’s a matter of time, he’s coming to a new country, and he’s 22, he’s so young and has an unbelievable ability. I think he’ll get it right as long as they get it right in behind him.
| Florian Wirtz’s senior career | Goals | Assists | Progressive passes per 90 | Progressive carries per 90 | Key passes per 90 | Passes into the final third per 90 | Shot-creating actions per 90 |
| 2020-21 | 5 | 6 | 4.62 | 2.19 | 1.86 | 3.56 | 3.36 |
| 2021-22* | 7 | 10 | 6.6 | 3.64 | 2.86 | 3.16 | 5.69 |
| 2022-23* | 1 | 6 | 6.61 | 2.98 | 3.22 | 3.55 | 5.28 |
| 2023-24 | 11 | 11 | 8.48 | 5.23 | 2.77 | 3.6 | 6.3 |
| 2024-25 | 10 | 12 | 6.74 | 5.02 | 2.18 | 3.68 | 5.66 |
| 2025-26 | 0 | 0 | 6.11 | 2.78 | 2.04 | 3.7 | 4.48 |
“Because that then gives you that freedom, it gives you the license to do what you do best because the others can win the ball and get it to you, and that’s then when you have Isak and Ekitike running off you. I think he’ll be off and running soon.”
As Wirtz continues to adapt to living in a new country and playing in a new league at just 22 years old, Slot will hope his more experienced teammates can help to lift Liverpool out of their losing rut against Manchester United after the international break.