Iraola backs Florian Wirtz to find his best form at Liverpool

Andoni Iraola says Florian Wirtz’s quality is a major asset for Liverpool, but believes the Germany international is still adapting to the demands of the English Premier League.

Liverpool host Brighton at Anfield on Sunday in the eighth round of the English Premier League, with Wirtz continuing to settle into life at the club.

Iraola, speaking about the Liverpool midfielder in comments reported by the Liverpool Echo, said he had no doubts about Wirtz’s ability or character.

“I have no doubts about Florian Wirtz’s talent, nor about his mentality or his behaviour,” Iraola said. “He is a player who works extremely hard.”

Wirtz joined Liverpool and has made 59 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals and providing 13 assists.

Iraola acknowledged that the 22-year-old’s demeanour could sometimes give the wrong impression, but said that was not an accurate reflection of the player’s attitude towards football.

“Perhaps his body language is a little cold, and that does not help him because you might think that he is not interested,” he added. “But after getting to know him better, I realised that he loves football.”

The Liverpool manager said he was pleased with Wirtz’s recent performances and believed the player was beginning to regain confidence.

“I am very happy with Florian,” said Iraola. “He has produced three very good performances, and I believe this is the beginning of him recovering his confidence.”

Iraola also suggested that Wirtz could feel more at ease in Liverpool’s Champions League matches, while stressing that adapting to the English top flight remained an ongoing process.

“In the end, we have to make him feel comfortable, and perhaps he feels more comfortable in Champions League matches,” he said.

“It is true that he has been here for a year, but he is still adapting to this competition.”

Liverpool go into the meeting with Brighton in fifth place, having collected 12 points from three wins, three draws and one defeat. The Anfield side will be looking to build on Wirtz’s recent displays when they face Brighton on Sunday.