Vladimir Smicer former Liverpool midfielder urges Florian Wirtz to embrace Premier League pressure after a slow start, offering insight from his own Anfield experience.
Florian Wirtz’s introduction to the Premier League has been far from the seamless transition Liverpool supporters were hoping for, but former Reds midfielder Vladimir Smicer believes the German international has the tools to thrive if he can adapt to life under the spotlight at Anfield.
The 22-year-old joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in a £116million deal over the summer, bringing with him a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. Yet, despite making six league appearances, Wirtz has yet to score or provide an assist, a stark contrast to his 16-goal, 15-assist campaign in Germany last season.
His slow start has already sparked debate among fans and pundits about whether he can cope with the demands of English football. Fellow summer signing Hugo Ekitike has settled quickly, while Jeremie Frimpong has also struggled, underlining how tough the adjustment to Liverpool and the Premier League can be.
Smicer, who knows first-hand the pressures of playing at Anfield, has urged patience, pointing to the differences in playing style between Leverkusen and Liverpool.
“At Leverkusen, everything revolved around him. At Liverpool, we play a slightly different system, and it seems he’s currently searching for his space and best position within the team,” he told Boyle Sports.
He added: “His performances in both the Champions League and Premier League are consistent, so you can’t say he’s only struggling in the Premier League and excelling in the Champions League.”
in an interview with SportsBOYLE Smicer was clear that the step up to England is significant
“The Premier League is the best league in the world, and Florian Wirtz is recognising the difference between Liverpool and his previous club. He is definitely a quality player with good touch and vision. However, as an offensive player who cost a lot of money, people, including myself, expected him to perform better for Liverpool.”
Yet the former Czech international remained confident that Wirtz can deliver:
“Despite this, I still have confidence in him and hope he will soon show his full potential, find his rhythm, and combine better with his teammates. I loved what he showed in Germany and was very excited when he signed for Liverpool. I’m still excited that he’s playing for us.”
Smicer also highlighted the mental resilience required to thrive at a club of Liverpool’s stature:
“He’s a fantastic player, and I believe he will show his quality sooner rather than later. He’s a great player, and the pressure is certainly there, but that’s part of the game.”
And he didn’t shy away from discussing the weight of Wirtz’s transfer fee:
“The high transfer fee, of course, isn’t his fault; it was a decision between the clubs. But this is the world of football, it’s not always Christmas. This is war. Football games are war, and he must show he’s a warrior.”
Drawing on his own Anfield experience, Smicer offered advice on handling expectations:
“It will take some time, and he’s taking his time, but the pressure is constant. This is the Premier League, you signed for Liverpool, a Premier League winner, for a lot of money. This is the pressure. You need to deal with that. I know this from my own experience.
When I signed for Liverpool, I replaced Steve McManaman. People expected me to replace him from the first game. It was difficult; I was under pressure. I felt the pressure, especially from the fans. But this is Liverpool, you need to perform. That’s just how it is.”
Smicer also pointed to the physicality of the league as part of Wirtz’s learning curve:
“I saw him in the game against Newcastle, where he was being tackled hard – that was a real test, a good test. Like an old British game from the ’80s or ’90s, it was really tough. He seemed surprised that everyone was kicking him and giving him a hard time, but this is the Premier League, and I think he will adapt.”
As Liverpool prepare for a high-profile showdown against Manchester United on Sunday, all eyes will be on Wirtz to see if he can finally justify the club’s record-breaking investment. Smicer’s words serve as both reassurance and a reminder: adapting to the Premier League takes time, resilience, and the courage to embrace the pressure of playing for one of football’s biggest clubs.
