Andoni Iraola backs Florian Wirtz before Liverpool face LASK in the Champions League

Liverpool paid £116 million for Florian Wirtz in the summer of 2025 and, so far, the return has been light. Five goals and four assists in 39 Premier League appearances is not what anyone expected from a player signed to tilt big games and decide seasons. Sunday brought another bad afternoon, Wirtz withdrawn in the 66th minute as Liverpool lost 3-0 at home to Manchester City.

That is the backdrop heading into the Champions League trip to LASK. There is scrutiny on Wirtz, because there should be. Big fee, big reputation, modest output. That is how this works. Still, Andoni Iraola is holding his line. He is not dressing it up, and he is not abandoning the player either.

Florian Wirtz under pressure at Liverpool

Iraola said: “No, I think he has had a little bit of everything this season.” That is fair. Wirtz has shown flashes, then drifted. Liverpool have seen enough quality to keep believing, but not enough consistency to quieten the noise.

The Liverpool head coach added: “He has had good games, probably the other day was not his best game, especially offensively. We trust Florian.” That is the key message. Liverpool are not pretending form does not matter, they are simply refusing to make one poor display the whole story.

Iraola went further, saying: “Florian is a very good player. He was coming from good performances in the international break, I think. I think it is a matter of everyone to find his moment.” There is logic in that. Wirtz has not forgotten how to play. The issue is rhythm, timing and influence, all the things that vanish quickly when a side is uneven.

Liverpool form leaves little room for passengers

Liverpool sit ninth in the Premier League after six matches, with two wins, three draws and one defeat. Those numbers do not spell crisis, but they do explain the mood. This is a team searching for fluency. They did open their Champions League campaign with an impressive win over Atletico Madrid, which gives this trip to Austria extra importance. Two wins from two would steady things.

Iraola also pointed to the broader picture, and he is right to do so. “I think, first of all, the best way we can help is with a collective performance,” he said. That is the proper assessment of Liverpool right now. Wirtz has underperformed, but he is far from alone. The team structure has not consistently given its attacking players the platform they need.

He continued: “When the team is playing well, it is controlling the game, and everyone will be feeling better and position themselves in better places.” Again, blunt and correct. Good teams make good players look sharper. Bad spacing, loose pressing and broken rhythm make everyone look worse.

There was also a reminder that selection is competitive. “The other day, for example, I thought it was very important that Ryan Gravenberch played also. You were asking about Ryan in the same way before the game.” No mystery there. Liverpool have options, and Wirtz will not be indulged indefinitely.

LASK challenge demands sharp Liverpool response

LASK are not on this stage by accident. Iraola made that clear when he said: “It is a team that won their competition last season and is used to controlling a lot of games when they are in the domestic competition.” Liverpool will have more talent, but talent alone settles nothing away from home in Europe.

The manager’s closing point was the simplest and the most relevant: “My biggest worry is not just one player or the other, it is to collectively be efficient as a team.” That applies to Wirtz and to Liverpool as a whole. Form can return quickly. Control, intensity and structure have to come first. If those arrive against LASK, Wirtz has a chance to look like Liverpool’s £116 million playmaker again.

For more on Liverpool, Florian Wirtz and the Champions League build-up, see TNT Sports.