Liverpool star Florian Wirtz on challenge of adapting to 'intense, physical' Premier League - Less time, more crunching tackles

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Liverpool spent a club record £116 million to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen last summer. However, the Germany international has so far struggled to have the same impact in England that he did in his native country. Before facing Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, he explained to TNT Sports how the "intense, physical" style has taken some getting used to.

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Florian Wirtz has said he struggled with how ”intense and physical” the Premier League was after arriving at Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.

The Germany international arrived with a big reputation and an even bigger price tag when he sealed a club-record £116 million move to Anfield.

However, the 22-year-old could not carry his scintillating Bundesliga form across to England during a difficult season where Liverpool’s title defence floundered.

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It took the German until after Christmas to score his first Premier League goal, in a 2-1 win over Wolves, but his form has since picked up with another three strikes since then.

Speaking to Steve McManaman before Liverpool’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, the playmaker explained just how tricky the adaptation period has been.

"Everyone in the world knows that the Premier League is the most intense and physical league,” Wirtz said.

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"It was a bit more than I was thinking. But there are always difficult things on the pitch where you have to adapt. Maybe you also have a bit more responsibility for more people who are supporting you and wanting you to do well.

"When I was at Leverkusen, I could have more time on the ball and turn easier. Here you have to be so ready, with your first touch you have to be away already, because otherwise there are three people on you and smashing into you – that is also a big difference.”

Wirtz arrived on Merseyside with a big reputation after helping Leverkusen win an extraordinary unbeaten Bundesliga and DFK-Pokal double in 2023/24 under Xabi Alonso, as well as reaching the UEFA Europa League final.

He is the Bundesliga’s youngest-ever scorer at 17 and won Bundesliga Player of the Year and German Footballer of the Year awards while at Leverkusen, scoring 57 goals in almost 200 games for the club.

It is no surprise, then, that Wirtz expects better from himself after a debut season where he has six goals and nine assists to his name from 39 games in all competitions.

”The biggest point for me was clear – I have to be faster with my decisions,” Wirtz said.

”But I felt like in training I was always good, and in the game, it was a bit more difficult. Maybe they are a bit more soft with you in training. I’ve said it so many times – I believe in my own qualities. I just want to be a good player for the team, help the team, and that’s what I’m trying every game. I know I’m not at the level where I want to be.”

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Liverpool's 'aim for season' outlined

Liverpool’s general malaise has certainly not helped Wirtz this season, with the club at times looking a shadow of the team that romped to the Premier League title last season under Arne Slot.

Instead, The Reds face a battle to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, currently sitting fifth on 49 points, one ahead of Chelsea and two behind Aston Villa.

They are, however, in the quarter-finals of the Champions League – where they face Paris Saint-Germain – and the FA Cup, where they are up against Manchester City, meaning Wirtz is setting his sights on silverware.

”I think we all expected more, especially in the league,” Wirtz said. ”But it happens often to teams who win the league, then the whole world expects you to win again, but it is maybe the most difficult season.

”We accepted it now. We are still in two competitions where we can win. The mindset should be that we want to win it, we want to play Champions League next season as well because this club and this team deserves it. That’s the aim for this season.”

How to watch Brighton v Liverpool

Brighton v Liverpool will be live on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and discovery+ with coverage starting at 11:00 UK time on Saturday, March 21.

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