Leading German media outlet Sport Bild has delivered a blistering assessment of Florian Wirtz’s difficult start at Liverpool, laying the blame for the playmaker’s struggles squarely at the feet of Egyptian star Mohamed Salah.
According to the publication, Wirtz’s failure to ignite after his £116 million summer arrival is linked directly to Salah’s influence on the pitch. In a sharp critique, Sport Bild argue that “it’s noticeable that he’s (Salah) overlooked Wirtz and hasn’t made any of the other summer signings, who together cost around half a billion euros, shine.”
They point to Salah’s assist output as evidence, noting that “Salah has provided three assists this season, all of which led to goals, all for players who have been with the club longer.” The implication is clear: Liverpool’s long-standing talisman is not accommodating the club’s new attacking centrepiece.
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Sport Bild go further, describing Salah as “a major problem for Liverpool and Wirtz” and claiming his “stubbornness” has become a talking point inside Arne Slot’s dressing room. “He is the king of the champions, seemingly blocking their successful new beginning,” they write, adding that the situation jeopardises “the future of his successor as the attacking leader: €140m signing Wirtz.”
Their report even raises the question of Salah’s longevity at Anfield, suggesting, “It seems quite possible that Salah will move to Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2026.”
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Wirtz arrived with a formidable reputation after scoring 57 goals in 197 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen, but the 21-year-old is still searching for his first Premier League goal or assist after 11 matches. Salah, by contrast, has four goals and two assists from the same fixtures.
The German international’s last display came under heavy fire during Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat at Manchester City, where Gary Neville was scathing in his post-match analysis. “I thought Wirtz in particular – it was a really bad day for him,” he said. “He’s £120m, you’re going to have to stand up soon… he looked like a little boy out there.”
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Neville added bluntly: “Wirtz is a problem, let’s call it what it is.”
Liverpool, Wirtz and Salah will aim to change the narrative when they host Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon.
Photo: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
