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Why Florian Wirtz is fast emerging as one of Liverpool's most influential players ahead of Marseille showdown
Liverpool travel to Marseille in the Champions League tonight on the back of a 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
Several of their recent performances have drawn grumblings of discontent from Reds fans, but at least Florian Wirtz has finally found his form.
Here, DAZN News reporter Ross Heppenstall analyses how the revitalised Germany playmaker has made himself at home in a Liverpool jersey.
Big price tag, big pressure
Wirtz, 22, joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen for £116million in the summer in a deal which topped their previous club-record signing of Virgil van Dijk for £75million in 2018.
Wirtz scored 57 goals in 197 Leverkusen appearances and his pedigree in his homeland was undeniable.
He made his league debut aged 17 for Leverkusen in May 2020 and just 19 days later he became the then-youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history against Bayern Munich – who he was also linked with last summer.
In addition to his goalscoring efforts, the German international racked up 44 assists in the Bundesliga since he made his debut.
His arrival at Anfield was part of a summer spending spree which saw Arne Slot lavish a record £446million on new signings, with Alexander Isak's £125million arrival from Newcastle usurping Wirtz as Liverpool's, and indeed British football's, most expensive signing.
Liverpool FC
Slow start and struggle to adapt
It would be an understatement to say that Wirtz failed to hit the ground running as a Liverpool player.
True, there was an assist for Hugo Ekitike in the Community Shield at Wembley but he made little impact when the season proper began.
In early October, former England striker-turned-pundit Wayne Rooney even claimed the German “damages the balance” of Slot’s team.
Wirtz went 23 games for club and country without scoring a goal this season before finally opening his account for the Reds in a 2-1 home win over Wolves on December 27.
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Arguably Liverpool’s most in-form player
Since that maiden strike against Wolves, Wirtz has scored against Fulham, Barnsley and Burnley, giving him an impressive return of four goals in his last six games.
Moreover, the fine run of form has confirmed his growing impact on Slot’s side during a difficult campaign in which they have, at times, looked anything but reigning Premier League champions.
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke faced Wirtz twice when his Borussia Monchengladbach side clashed with Leverkusen during the 2022-23 campaign.
He came across him again recently when Liverpool drew 3-3 at Elland Road on December 6 before the sides played out a goalless draw at Anfield on New Year’s Day.
Speaking to DAZN News, Farke said: “It was no miracle that all the best clubs in the world chased Florian in the summer.
“Liverpool were lucky to be able to sign him and nowadays in football I think everyone runs out of patience.
“If you sign a player, he has to deliver straight away, but we have to remember that young players like Florian are human beings and not robots.
“They move abroad and are living away from home in a different country to play in the best league in the world.
“You have to adapt to life and I think he had many good and impressive performances at the beginning of this season.
“Yes, I know there was also talk that his end products – goals and assists – were missing.
“But having adapted to a different physicality, his genius skills are shining through.”
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How good could Wirtz be for Liverpool?
With six goal involvements (four goals, two assists) in his last seven appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, the growing influence of Wirtz is clear to see.
Reds fans will certainly raise a glass to that as their club bids to progress in the Champions League and climb the Premier League table.
There have been groans about Liverpool’s style of play at times, but Wirtz's red-hot form is a huge positive and Farke believes his compatriot can continue to thrive.
The Elland Road chief added: “I look at Florian now and I think he has all the skill to become one of the most dominant players in this league.
“It’s normal for creative, offensive players to take longer to show what they can do in terms of making an impact.
“This is what he’s now doing and of course it’s about consistency.
“But he’s made the first steps towards making a huge impact at this level and becoming one of the top players in English football.”
Full Champions League fixture list for Matchday 7
Tuesday, 20 January
- Kairat Almaty vs. Club Brugge
- Bodo/Glimt vs. Manchester City
- Copenhagen vs. Napoli
- Inter vs. Arsenal
- Olympiakos vs. Bayer Leverkusen
- Real Madrid vs. Monaco
- Sporting vs. PSG
- Tottenham vs. Borussia Dortmund
- Villarreal vs. Ajax
Wednesday, 21 January
- Galatasaray vs. Atletico Madrid
- Qarabag vs. Eintracht Frankfurt
- Atalanta vs. Athletic Club
- Bayern Munich vs. Union Saint-Gilloise
- Chelsea vs. Pafos
- Juventus vs. Benfica
- Marseille vs. Liverpool
- Newcastle United vs. PSV
- Slavia Prague vs. Barcelona
How to watch the Champions League in the USA on DAZN
Soccer fans in the US can watch the Champions League in Spanish language as part of their DAZN subscription package.
An annual upfront payment is $224.99 , while paying monthly for 12 months is $19.99 and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
CBS has coverage of every Champions League match in English language this season. You can get more details and subscribe to CBS's Champions League coverage here.
Fans can watch extra Champions League games in Spanish on ViX. A selection of those matches are also available on UNIMÁS and TUDN.
How to watch the Champions League in New Zealand on DAZN
Every Champions League game during the 2025-26 season is streamed in high definition and comes as part of a DAZN subscription.
An annual subscription costs $14.99 per month for 12 months and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
How to watch the Champions League in Canada on DAZN
Watch every game of the Champions League this season in Canada with a DAZN subscription.
There are three subscription options, each offering a different selection of sports. Access to every Champions League match is included in all three package offerings, ranging from $29.99 to $44.99 per month (for 12 months)
