Steven Gerrard Says Dropping Florian Wirtz Could Help

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard believes Florian Wirtz could benefit from a spell out of the starting line-up as the German midfielder continues to search for confidence and consistency at Anfield. Despite arriving with enormous expectations following a high-profile transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, the attacking midfielder has struggled to deliver the performances supporters anticipated.

Gerrard, who understands the pressure of playing for Liverpool after captaining the club during a distinguished career, has suggested that temporarily removing Wirtz from the team might help him rediscover his best form. The former England international believes competition for places can provide a valuable wake-up call for a player who appears to be struggling with confidence.

However, Liverpool’s current attacking options have complicated the situation. Injuries and inconsistent performances elsewhere in the squad could limit the manager’s ability to rest the 23-year-old immediately. Gerrard’s comments therefore raise an important question: should Liverpool continue giving Wirtz regular minutes, or could a short break from the starting XI help him regain his rhythm?

Steven Gerrard Explains Why Florian Wirtz Could Benefit From Being Dropped

Speaking on The Overlap, Gerrard offered a candid assessment of Wirtz’s performances and suggested that the midfielder’s confidence appears to have suffered. According to the Liverpool great, the German has been making mistakes with routine passes that would ordinarily be expected to come naturally to a player of his technical ability.

Gerrard said Wirtz’s confidence was low and that his struggles were visible when watching him play. He pointed to the midfielder giving away possession with relatively simple passes, suggesting that the issue may involve more than a temporary loss of sharpness.

The former Liverpool captain also drew on his own experience of dealing with difficult periods during his playing career. He explained that being taken out of the team sometimes helped him recover his confidence and understand what was required to return to the starting line-up.

Gerrard’s argument is based on the competitive nature of professional football. When a player loses his place, he must respond by improving his performances in training, becoming more consistent and demonstrating that he deserves another opportunity. That pressure can sometimes help a talented footballer rediscover his focus.

“I have had dips in form and lack of confidence and the best thing for me was to come out of the team for periods of time.”

Gerrard believes the same approach could work for Wirtz. Rather than viewing a spell on the bench as a punishment, the midfielder could use it as an opportunity to reset mentally, study his performances and work on the details that have been letting him down.

Importantly, Gerrard did not suggest that Liverpool should abandon their summer signing. His comments focused on helping a young player overcome a difficult spell, with the former captain stressing that Wirtz remains a talented footballer who needs support from the coaching staff.

Why Florian Wirtz Has Struggled to Meet Expectations at Liverpool

Wirtz arrived at Liverpool with a significant reputation after establishing himself as one of the standout attacking midfielders in European football at Bayer Leverkusen. His transfer, reported at £116 million, placed him among the club’s most expensive signings and inevitably created expectations of an immediate impact.

Players signed for such substantial fees are often judged against the price attached to their transfers. Supporters naturally expect them to influence matches, create chances and deliver goals or assists regularly. When those contributions do not arrive quickly, scrutiny increases, even when the player is still adapting to a new team.

Wirtz’s challenge is particularly demanding because his role requires more than technical quality. An attacking midfielder must understand teammates’ movements, recognise spaces between defensive lines, choose the right moments to accelerate attacks and make decisions under pressure.

Those responsibilities can become harder when confidence declines. A player who normally attempts ambitious passes may begin hesitating, while someone who usually controls possession comfortably might rush decisions or give the ball away unnecessarily. Small mistakes can then create additional pressure, making it more difficult to play naturally.

Gerrard’s assessment suggests he sees some of those warning signs in Wirtz’s performances. His concern is not simply that the German has failed to score enough goals, but that his usual technical reliability appears to have dipped.

Nevertheless, a difficult start does not automatically mean a transfer has failed. Moving between leagues, adapting to different tactical demands and developing an understanding with new teammates can take time. Liverpool must determine whether Wirtz’s problems are primarily related to confidence, tactical fit, physical adaptation or a combination of factors before deciding how best to help him.

Wirtz’s Manchester City Performance Increased the Pressure

The debate surrounding Wirtz intensified after Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League. Starting in the No. 10 position, the German was expected to provide creativity and connect the midfield with the forwards, but he struggled to make the desired impact as Liverpool were beaten at the Etihad Stadium.

Wirtz was the first Liverpool player to be substituted after Ryan Gravenberch received a red card. The dismissal made the team’s task more difficult, but the decision to withdraw the attacking midfielder also reflected the tactical changes required as Liverpool attempted to respond to the situation.

For a player signed to influence matches in the final third, performances against top opposition carry particular importance. Liverpool need Wirtz to offer solutions when space is limited, retain possession under pressure and find passes capable of breaking through organised defences. When those contributions are missing, questions about his place in the starting XI become difficult to avoid.

However, it would be unfair to judge his overall potential on one difficult match. Playing against Manchester City presents a significant challenge, and a red card can alter the responsibilities of every player on the pitch. The more important issue for Liverpool is whether Wirtz can demonstrate greater consistency over a sustained period.

Gerrard’s suggestion that the midfielder could benefit from being dropped is therefore connected to a broader concern about his performances. The former captain wants Wirtz to recognise the areas in which he is struggling and respond positively rather than allowing mistakes to affect his confidence further.

Liverpool’s Injury Problems Make Dropping Wirtz Difficult

Although Gerrard believes a spell out of the starting line-up could help Wirtz, he also acknowledged that Liverpool’s squad situation makes such a decision complicated. Several attacking players have been unavailable or have struggled to maintain consistent form, reducing the manager’s options when selecting a team.

Hugo Ekitike has been missing, Alexander Isak has experienced an inconsistent spell and Cody Gakpo has been dealing with an injury, according to the circumstances outlined by Gerrard. Those issues leave Liverpool with fewer alternatives when trying to reorganise their attack.

In an ideal situation, a manager can rest an underperforming player without significantly weakening the team. Liverpool’s current difficulties make that balance harder to achieve. Wirtz offers technical quality and creativity even when he is not producing his best performances, and removing him without an effective replacement could create another problem.

Gerrard recognised that reality while explaining why the timing of a possible change matters. He suggested that when more players return to availability, Liverpool could have greater freedom to rotate their attacking options and give Wirtz a temporary break.

That approach would allow the coaching staff to manage the midfielder’s workload while also reminding him that his place is not guaranteed. Competition could encourage him to improve his training performances, sharpen his decision-making and work towards earning another opportunity.

There is also a practical distinction between dropping a player for tactical reasons and losing faith in him. Liverpool would need to communicate clearly that any absence from the starting XI is intended to help him improve, rather than signalling that the club has already made a negative judgement about its major investment.

Gerrard Warns Liverpool Not to Give Up on Their Young Star

Despite his criticism of Wirtz’s recent performances, Gerrard was clear that Liverpool should remain patient. The former captain believes the German has considerable ability and that the club’s manager and coaching staff have an important role to play in helping him overcome this difficult period.

Gerrard urged Wirtz to review footage from training sessions and matches, paying close attention to the passes he has misplaced and the decisions that have cost Liverpool possession. Video analysis can help a player identify recurring mistakes that may be difficult to recognise in the intensity of a match.

Rather than focusing exclusively on goals and assists, the midfielder must also examine the fundamentals of his game. Improving his first touch, selecting safer passes when necessary and recognising when to take risks could help restore the reliability that made him such an attractive signing.

The coaching staff also need to provide constructive feedback. Confidence can deteriorate when mistakes become a regular topic of discussion, but players still need honest assessments of their performances. Liverpool’s challenge is to combine clear expectations with the support required to help Wirtz meet them.

“He’s a talent, he’s young, you can’t give up on these people. He needs help and he needs support.”

Those comments underline Gerrard’s wider message. He believes Wirtz should be held accountable for his performances without being written off after a difficult spell. The German’s transfer fee and reputation have increased the scrutiny, but neither should prevent Liverpool from taking a measured approach to his development.

For a young player operating in a demanding environment, the right response from the club could prove just as important as any tactical adjustment. A clear plan, regular feedback and a realistic route back into the team could help Wirtz regain the confidence required to influence matches.

How Much Time Should Liverpool Give Florian Wirtz?

Gerrard was also asked how long Liverpool should continue to give Wirtz to demonstrate his quality. His answer suggested that the club should resist making a definitive judgement too early, particularly while the player is still adapting to the demands of English football.

The former Liverpool midfielder indicated that the end of the season would be a more appropriate point to assess the situation if Wirtz’s performances remained below expectations. By then, the club would have a larger body of evidence on which to base its judgement, rather than relying on a difficult run of matches.

Gerrard’s position does not mean that Wirtz should be exempt from criticism until the campaign concludes. Liverpool still need results, and selection decisions must reflect current performances. Instead, his argument is that a temporary dip should not automatically lead to the conclusion that a major signing has failed.

The midfielder’s previous record offers reasons for patience. Before moving to Liverpool, Wirtz developed into one of Bayer Leverkusen’s most influential players, combining goals, assists and creative passing. His performances in Germany established him as a player capable of influencing games at the highest level.

Reproducing that form in a different league is not always straightforward. Tactical systems vary, opponents defend differently and players must establish new relationships with teammates. Even an accomplished footballer can need time to understand how best to use his strengths in a new environment.

At the same time, Liverpool cannot ignore the expectations associated with a transfer worth a reported £116 million. The club invested heavily because it believed Wirtz could make a major difference to its attack. Over time, supporters will reasonably expect his influence to become more visible in important matches.

Could a Spell on the Bench Help Wirtz Rediscover His Best Form?

There are potential benefits to giving Wirtz time away from the starting line-up. A short break could reduce the immediate pressure surrounding his performances and allow him to work on specific aspects of his game away from the spotlight. It could also give Liverpool an opportunity to experiment with different attacking combinations.

For Wirtz himself, seeing another player occupy his preferred position might create the competitive urgency Gerrard described. Knowing that a starting place must be earned can encourage a footballer to raise his standards in training and pay closer attention to the details that influence selection.

Nevertheless, dropping him is not guaranteed to solve the problem. If his difficulties stem from tactical uncertainty or a lack of understanding with teammates, additional coaching and regular minutes might be more effective than time on the bench. Liverpool must identify the cause of his struggles before deciding which response is most appropriate.

The manager also needs to consider how Wirtz performs in training, his physical condition and the available alternatives. A decision based purely on public criticism or pressure surrounding his transfer fee could do more harm than good.

A balanced strategy may therefore offer the best route forward. Liverpool can continue to support Wirtz while making it clear that his position is not guaranteed. Depending on the opposition and the team’s needs, he could be rotated, introduced from the bench or given another opportunity to start.

What Happens Next for Florian Wirtz at Liverpool?

Wirtz’s immediate priority is to turn his technical ability into more consistent performances. Liverpool need him to contribute to their attacking play, retain possession more reliably and make the kinds of decisive interventions that justified the club’s investment.

Gerrard’s comments provide a reminder that confidence and selection can be closely connected. A player struggling to perform may need reassurance, but he may also benefit from a clear challenge that encourages him to improve. Finding the right balance is a responsibility shared by the player and the coaching staff.

Liverpool’s injury situation will influence how quickly the club can make changes to its attacking line-up. If more options become available, the manager may have greater flexibility to rotate Wirtz without compromising the team’s overall structure.

For now, Gerrard’s message is one of patience rather than panic. He believes Wirtz has the talent to succeed at Anfield and has warned against giving up on him prematurely. However, his support does not rule out a temporary spell on the bench if that is what the player needs to regain his confidence.

The end-of-season assessment will provide a clearer indication of whether Wirtz has made the progress Liverpool expect. Until then, the priority should be helping him improve while maintaining the competitive standards required at a club with ambitions of challenging for major honours.

Ultimately, being dropped could become a useful turning point if it helps Wirtz rediscover his consistency. But the decision must form part of a wider plan to support his development, not serve as a reaction to the pressure surrounding his transfer fee. As Gerrard has emphasised, Liverpool have invested in a talented young footballer, and the club must give him the guidance and opportunity to demonstrate what he can do.