Florian Wirtz has identified how his game has improved after a ‘difficult’ start to his Liverpool career.
The German international joined Liverpool for a club record £116million from Bayer Leverkusen last June, although the fee was later eclipsed when the Reds spent £125m on Alexander Isak.
Wirtz faced criticism early in his time at Liverpool with the 22-year-old struggling to live up to the expectations created by his price tag.
His first Premier League goal came on December 27 against Wolves, the first of six in 10 matches.
Speaking to German television show Sportschau, Wirtz expressed his belief that he has become stronger as a result of his early struggles.
‘It wasn’t an easy phase,’ Wirtz admitted.
Florian Wirtz believes his ‘difficult’ start at Liverpool has helped make him a stronger player
Wirtz scored twice and assisted two more goals for Germany in a 4-3 win over Switzerland last week
‘It’s sometimes good that things don’t always go upwards and that you experience a dip and grow stronger because of it.
‘That’s how I see it now as well, it has made me a bit stronger.
‘I had to overcome resistance and adapt, I had to learn to become stronger and hold onto the ball.’
Wirtz, who scored twice and assisted two goals for Germany in a 4-3 win over Switzerland last week, credited his national team boss Julian Nagelsmann with helping him through his difficult spell.
‘The coach always supported me during the difficult phase after my move to Liverpool and always had an open ear for me.
‘He gave me tips and reassured me, that has brought us closer together.’
Wirtz’s assessment was one shared by Nagelsmann himself, with the Germany boss claiming their relationship grew closer as a result.
Nagelsmann revealed last week that Wirtz had opened up a ‘great deal’ during the period, with the pair having ‘many good conversations’.
Wirtz has credited Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann with helping him through a tough start to life at Liverpool
‘He’s an intelligent, totally open guy, so you get a lot back in a conversation like that,’ Nagelsmann said.
‘Of course, you can take a lot away from it and will be stronger than ever before, because it’s also part of personal development that things don’t always go in one direction.’
Wirtz played an hour for Germany on Monday night in a 2-1 win over Ghana in a friendly, with the attacking midfielder expected to have a key role for the national team at the World Cup.
The 22-year-old will first turn his attentions to helping Liverpool qualify for next season’s Champions League, as well as an upcoming FA Cup quarter-final against Man City on Saturday.
