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Football Insider

Florian Wirtz's Liverpool Struggles Compared to Potential Bayern Munich Scrutiny by German Legend

German legend Thomas Muller believes Liverpool star Florian Wirtz would face more criticism for his current form if he were playing for Bayern Munich. Wirtz, who turned down Bayern and Manchester City to join Liverpool, has had a slow start at Anfield. However, a recent assist against Tottenham could signal a turning point for the 22-year-old. Muller, now playing for Vancouver, shared insights on Wirtz's adaptation to English football and highlighted the difference in media attention between Liverpool and Bayern.

Florian Wirtz's Liverpool Struggles Compared to Potential Bayern Munich Scrutiny by German Legend

Florian Wirtz would be receiving far more criticism if he was producing his current Liverpool form for Bayern Munich, according to Germany legend Thomas Muller. The Vancouver Whitecaps forward has weighed in on the performances of the Reds midfielder, who turned down interest from two European giants in favour of a big-money move to Anfield in the summer.Expectations were high when Wirtz completed an eye-catching switch to Liverpool in June, with the Premier League champions stumping up £116 million (€133m/$157m) to prize him away from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen ahead of both Bayern and Manchester City.However, the 22-year-old has made an underwhelming start to life on Merseyside, failing to find the back of the net in 22 appearances across all competitions for Arne Slot’s side.But Wirtz could be about to turn a corner after recording his first league assist in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur last Saturday. The Germany international teed up Alexander Isak as the Sweden striker opened the scoring for the visitors in north London.Yet in a huge blow to both Isak and Liverpool, the 26-year-old suffered a fractured leg in the process after he was caught by Spurs defender Micky van de Ven, who tried to block the forward’s effort on goal. The former Newcastle United attacker has subsequently been ruled out for a couple of months by manager Slot.While Wirtz looks to build on his maiden league assist when Liverpool lock horns with winless Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, he has now been told he would be receiving even more scorn if he was finding things difficult at Bayern instead.In an interview with German publication SZ, Muller - who currently plays for MLS Cup runners-up Vancouver - mentioned Wirtz’s struggles adapting to English football when asked why he decided against moving abroad sooner than he did."I wouldn’t want to miss a single second of my time at Bayern," Muller said. "Nowhere else are you in the melting pot of attention as much as you are as a national player in Munich. I loved that so much, in good times and bad. "Take Flo Wirtz, who took an international step with his move to Liverpool. At Bayern, he would certainly have had an easier time adapting to the game, as he would have remained in the same league."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!And when pushed on Wirtz’s current Liverpool form, he added: "That’s true [that he is struggling]. But it’s nowhere near comparable to the media attention you get as a player when things aren’t going well for you at FC Bayern. You’re in the spotlight every day. As a foreigner, you’re just not talked about as much!"Muller established himself as one of the greatest Bayern players of all time during a 17-year spell with the Bavarians. The 36-year-old won 33 trophies in Munich before joining Major League Soccer side Vancouver on a free transfer in the summer. He is also widely regarded as one of the best German footballers in history, helping his country win the 2014 World Cup.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingWirtz will go in search of his elusive first Liverpool goal when his side lock horns with rock-bottom Wolves at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.Opening up about how the dressing room are trying to help Wirtz adapt to the demands of the Premier League, Liverpool boss Slot said before the win over Tottenham last weekend: "I hope I made it clear that I am talking not just about the new players (who have needed to adapt) but players in general, Florian has improved a lot. I am not talking about his ability on the ball because we could see from the start that that was top. "But I saw in one moment against Brighton where he took the ball off Dom (Szoboszlai), he dribbled and a player came to him and he pushed him away and kept on dribbling. Then he provided a cut back cross for Hugo [Ekitike] who shot over the bar. Later he won the duel with (Brighton's) Jan Paul van Hecke that led to the counter attack with the shot from Mo (Salah)."In those moments you see it gets easier for him. It takes a lot, a lot, a lot of effort for him to play in this intensity but he is getting used to it. That is my take. Both (fitness and weight work). A lot of them have grown in kilograms, in muscle. That’s one thing. And secondly, if you are only in the gym you cannot be prepared for 90 minutes of Premier League football. It is about playing those games, I would say training but we hardly ever do that, so it’s playing, playing, playing."

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The Pressure at Liverpool vs. Bayern

Thomas Muller, an iconic figure at Bayern Munich, emphasized the scrutiny and attention players face at the Bavarian club compared to other European sides. Muller suggested that Florian Wirtz, currently at Liverpool, would have had an easier time adapting if he had chosen Bayern instead. The media spotlight and high expectations at Bayern are renowned, making it a unique environment for players to thrive.

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Wirtz's Journey at Liverpool

Florian Wirtz's move to Liverpool in the summer stirred excitement, but the young midfielder has struggled to meet expectations so far. With no goals in 22 appearances, Wirtz faced criticism until his recent assist against Tottenham. The fractured leg suffered by Alexander Isak, whom Wirtz assisted, adds a layer of complexity to his Liverpool narrative. Despite the challenges, Wirtz is striving to adapt to the Premier League's intensity.

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Insights from Thomas Muller

Thomas Muller's comparison of media scrutiny between Liverpool and Bayern Munich sheds light on the different pressures players face in top football clubs. Muller's experience at Bayern, where he won numerous titles, contrasts with Wirtz's journey at Liverpool. As Wirtz navigates the demands of English football, Muller's perspective offers valuable insights into the nuances of adapting to different leagues.

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Liverpool's Support for Wirtz

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has voiced his support for Florian Wirtz as the midfielder seeks to make his mark at Anfield. Slot acknowledges Wirtz's progress and highlights the challenges of adapting to the Premier League's physical demands. With the team rallying around Wirtz and providing guidance, the young talent aims to contribute more effectively and find success in the competitive English top-flight.

Published on Dec 25, 2025