Florian Wirtz continues to face criticism over his performances for Liverpool. The club signed him for a huge transfer fee and expected him to make a big impact. However, Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has shown that he still trusts Wirtz and Bradley Barcola. He believes both players can perform well for the club despite their recent struggles in attack.

Liverpool spent more than £200 million to sign the two attacking players. However, fans have started to question their performances because they have not scored or assisted as much as expected. Iraola believes transfer fees and statistics do not always show everything a player does for the team. 

Andoni Iraola Makes His Position Clear on Florian Wirtz

The Liverpool manager admitted that both players have had good and bad games this season. However, he believes they have the quality to meet the club’s expectations and help the team.

Iraola spoke to reporters before Liverpool’s Champions League game against LASK. He explained why he continues to support Wirtz and Barcola despite the criticism.

He said that both players have had good and bad games, just like other players. He also made it clear that he trusts their ability.

“With Bradley and Flo, they have had good games and bad games this season like everyone else,” Iraola told reporters on Tuesday ahead of their Champions League meeting with LASK.

“We know their level, and we know they will give us good performances.”

His comments show that Iraola does not want to judge the two players only by their recent numbers. He believes they can show their quality as they get more chances to play and help the team.

This support could be important for Florian Wirtz. The German midfielder joined Liverpool with a strong reputation as one of Europe’s best young attacking players. However, he has found it difficult to deliver consistent performances in English football.

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Why Florian Wirtz Is Facing Criticism at Liverpool

Wirtz had a difficult 2025-26 season and has recorded only one assist in the current season. These numbers have increased the pressure on him. Liverpool reportedly paid £116 million to sign him from Bayer Leverkusen in 2025.

Wirtz built his reputation in Germany through his passing, movement and ability to create chances. Liverpool expected him to bring the same qualities to their midfield. The club wanted him to create more chances and improve its attack.

However, his move to Liverpool has not gone as smoothly as many fans expected. His high transfer fee has also increased the pressure on him to perform well.

The criticism grew after Liverpool lost 3-0 to Manchester City on October 11. Wirtz struggled to make a big impact in the game. Barcola also failed to turn his attacking chances into goals or assists. 

However, statistics do not tell the full story of a player’s performance. A player can help the team by creating space, making good runs, and helping teammates reach dangerous areas.

This does not mean Wirtz should avoid criticism. Liverpool paid a huge amount to sign him, and the club will expect him to deliver better results. The main question is whether he needs more time to settle in or whether Liverpool needs to change how they use him.

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Iraola Explains Why Bradley Barcola’s Numbers Do Not Tell the Full Story

Barcola has also struggled to make an impact since joining Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain in August. The French forward has not scored a goal or provided an assist for Liverpool yet. This has added to the pressure on the club’s expensive attacking signings. 

However, Iraola believes one missed chance can change how fans judge a player’s performance. He used Liverpool’s recent loss to Manchester City to explain his point.

The manager spoke about a chance involving Lewis Koumas. He suggested that fans might have praised Barcola’s performance if Koumas had scored from that chance.

“The other day, if Lewis Koumas scores the goal that he connects with really well (in their 3-0 loss to Manchester City), then it is one assist for Bradley Barcola.

“His performance would be exactly the same, but we will all say: ‘Oh, he played really well with an assist.’ Sometimes we focus only on the numbers.

“With Bradley, the other day he had good situations, and we did not finish them. Bradley and Flo are players that I trust 100%.”

Iraola’s comments explain the difference between creating a chance and finishing it. An attacking player can create a good opportunity but still miss out on an assist if a teammate fails to score.

At the same time, goals and assists remain important for forwards and attacking midfielders. Liverpool will eventually need Wirtz and Barcola to turn their chances and attacking play into goals and assists, especially against strong teams.

Iraola wants fans to look at the full performance instead of judging a player only by his goal and assist numbers.

Can Florian Wirtz Silence His Critics?

Iraola’s public support gives Wirtz some confidence, but the midfielder still needs to improve. Liverpool need their big signings to play a bigger role, especially during a busy period of matches.

Liverpool have also faced problems with injuries to their attacking players. Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai were unavailable for the LASK game after suffering injuries during the international break. Their absence increased the pressure on the other attacking players. 

This gives Wirtz a chance to show why Liverpool signed him. He can change the way fans view his performances by building better connections with his teammates, creating more chances, and improving his goal and assist numbers.

Liverpool must also find the best role for him. An attacking midfielder needs the right position and support to show his skills, especially when he is still getting used to a new team.

However, Liverpool cannot wait forever. The club has big goals, and Wirtz must show that he can influence important games and help the team win. Barcola faces the same challenge, but he joined later in the summer and has had less time to settle in.

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Conclusion

Andoni Iraola has made it clear that he still trusts Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola despite the criticism they face. His comments also raise an important point: goals and assists matter, but they do not show everything a player does on the pitch.

Wirtz now needs to turn his manager’s support into better and more consistent performances. Many people already know about his talent. The bigger question is whether he can use that talent to help Liverpool.

Do you think Florian Wirtz needs more time to prove himself at Liverpool? Or should the club expect more from a player who arrived with such a high transfer fee?

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments. 

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