Woltemade defends Wirtz after contrasting starts to Premier League careers
Florian Wirtz has received backing from Germany team-mate Nick Woltemade following their contrasting starts to life in the Premier League.
Nick Woltemade has defended Florian Wirtz against criticism over his start to life in the Premier League with Liverpool.
Wirtz made the move from Bayer Leverkusen to Anfield in a £100million transfer this summer. However, that deal has yet yield the dividends many expected.
Indeed, Wirtz has yet to register a goal or assist in the Premier League, with his two assists in the Champions League representing an underwhelming return for the price paid.
By contrast, Woltemade already has scored six goals in all competitions since his £69million move to Newcastle United from Stuttgart, a transfer that helped facilitate Alexander Isak’s departure from St James’ Park to link up with Wirtz at Liverpool.
Yet Woltemade believes Wirtz’s start to his Liverpool career has been stronger than the numbers suggest.
Woltemade: Wirtz doing very well
Wirtz and Woltemade will hope to help Germany clinch qualification for the 2026 World Cup during the final international break of 2025.
Germany will qualify for the finals if they beat Luxembourg and Slovakia in their final qualifiers.
And, speaking to German media ahead of Friday’s game in Luxembourg, Woltemade hit back at Wirtz’s critics.
“For every player, adjusting isn’t easy. But he’s doing very well,” said Woltemade.
“On paper, you might not see the goals, but if you compare my games with his, he’s much more involved in play.
“I’ve probably been in the right spot three or four times, received the ball and scored – but he’s very active in the game, gets lots of touches and makes good plays.”
Woltemade reflects on ‘crazy’ 2025
Woltemade has experienced a rapid rise after signing for Stuttgart last year.
He helped Stuttgart win the DFB-Pokal, scoring 17 goals in all competitions and was then the top scorer at the Under-21 European Championship, netting eight times. That form earned him his first senior Germany cap, and he has established himself as Die Mannschaft’s first-choice striker, while quickly becoming a cult hero at Newcastle following his club-record move.
Reflecting on his ascension, Woltemade said: “It’s been a very crazy year. I’ve experienced so much – moments I never could have imagined before.
“It’s sometimes hard to grasp. A year like this isn’t something you take for granted. I’m very grateful for it and want to keep working for such amazing moments.”