Real Madrid boss and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has voiced his confidence in Florian Wirtz's ability to succeed at Liverpool, despite the young German's underwhelming start to his Premier League career. Wirtz, who joined Liverpool in June 2025 for a reported £100 million, has yet to find the net for the Reds, leading to some scrutiny of his performances.
Alonso, who managed Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen, where they won the Bundesliga title in 2024, believes it is only a matter of time before the 22-year-old attacking midfielder finds his feet at Anfield. "I have no doubts. It is just a matter of time," Alonso stated. He acknowledged the significant adjustment Wirtz faces moving to Liverpool after spending his entire career in Germany. "It is a big change for him to come to Liverpool after so many years in Germany, he's been there all his life," Alonso said.
Despite Wirtz's slow start, Alonso emphasized the player's special qualities. "He is a really special player. He has quality and personality and he's competitive," Alonso affirmed. He drew on the experiences of other great players who initially struggled in the Premier League, expressing his conviction that Wirtz will ultimately showcase his talent and class. "It has happened with great players in the Premier League before and I've no doubts with Flo," he added.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has also defended Wirtz, stating that he believes Wirtz needs time to adjust to the Premier League's intensity. Slot feels Wirtz has already made an impact, creating opportunities for the team, even if the final product hasn't been there yet. "For me, he's brought exactly what we expected. A player who can create a lot for the team," Slot said.
Wirtz's transition to Liverpool has been a topic of discussion, especially with claims from Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro suggesting that Real Madrid was Wirtz's preferred destination. According to Carro, Wirtz would have "definitely" joined Real Madrid had they made an offer. Nevertheless, Wirtz is now at Anfield, and the club remains confident that he will become a key player.
Wirtz made his debut for Liverpool on August 10 in the FA Community Shield. He also made his Premier League debut on August 15 in a 4-2 win over Bournemouth. On October 22, he contributed two assists in a Champions League victory against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Alonso's Real Madrid is set to face Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League. This adds an intriguing layer to the situation, as Alonso returns to his former club while Wirtz seeks to prove himself against his former manager. While Alonso is confident about Wirtz's future, he also hopes Wirtz won't find his form against his Real Madrid side. "Hopefully not tomorrow, but I've no doubt he will show his quality and class,” Alonso stated.
