Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is growing increasingly frustrated with Florian Wirtz's lack of impact and has made it clear he wants the club to sign Barcelona midfielder Fermín López.
The Reds splashed out £116 million to secure Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025, anticipating he would be a key contributor. In his final season in the Bundesliga, the German midfielder recorded 10 goals and 12 assists in 31 appearances. However, Wirtz's move to Anfield has not lived up to the hype; he endured a disappointing previous season as Liverpool struggled under Arne Slot, and things haven’t improved significantly following Iraola's appointment.
Following a recent 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, criticism of Wirtz has reached a boiling point. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher expressed his doubts on Sky Sports, stating that Wirtz doesn’t deserve a place in the current squad:
He shouldn’t be in the Liverpool team right now. I don’t want to hammer Liverpool players, but we’re talking about this not after 5-10 games, but after 50-60. Wirtz never looks like a player who is capable of scoring. You don’t leave thinking he’s missed moments or forced the goalkeeper to work. There are absolutely no signs of a threat to the goal.
Interest in Fermín López and Iraola's position
Spanish media outlets report that Liverpool's hierarchy is baffled by Wirtz's underwhelming form. Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United, Al-Hilal, and Chelsea are all said to be keen on the midfielder.
Iraola sees Fermín López as the perfect replacement, convinced that the Spanish player would adapt to the Premier League much quicker. The manager is hoping that an official bid of €140 million (around £118 million), including fixed and performance-related payments, will persuade Joan Laporta and Deco to let him leave Camp Nou. The club is reportedly prepared to offer López an astronomical salary, making him the highest-paid player at Liverpool.
Comparisons with Coutinho
Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders has drawn comparisons between Wirtz and Philippe Coutinho, highlighting the challenges of utilising such creative playmakers:
When you have a player like Florian Wirtz — somewhat reminiscent of Coutinho during his time at Liverpool — it can be tricky for the team to maintain reliability. On the flip side, if you’re solid defensively but lack creativity up front, you need a player like that. Wirtz shares the same profile. If he is allowed to roam freely on the pitch, he must start delivering results. Playing as a number ten is a golden ticket for a player, but it requires moments of creativity. The price tag demands he scores 15 goals and provides 15 assists in a season.
