The team is struggling to win, high-priced signings are in adaptation

What's wrong with Liverpool's "Mr. Billionaire"? Wierz continues to be sluggish, and high-priced signings are in a dilemma

On September 14, 2025, in the fourth round of the Premier League, Liverpool beat Burnley 1-0 away, the highly anticipated midfielder Florian Wierz once again delivered a disappointing answer. Despite the team's difficulty in winning, the "market king" with a net worth of £116 million still performed mediocrely and continued to fall into the Premier League's adaptation dilemma. The scene was silent, and the data was sluggish. At the Tufmore Stadium, the 22-year-old Werz was almost "invisible" in the whole game. He neither scored nor assisted. Although he contributed 4 key passes, most of them were of low quality and failed to truly threaten the opponent's defense.

What is even more worrying is other data: he only won 2 times in 6 one-on-one matches, only succeeded in 4 top-ups, and conceded as many as 20 goals in the game, becoming an important reason for the team's poor midfield operation. Faced with Burnley's active pressing and compact defensive system, Wilz seemed to be weak in dealing with it, slow pace, lacking the decisiveness of breakthroughs and decision-making.

Obviously, this talented midfielder who joined Leverkusen at a high price in the Bundesliga has not yet adapted to the high-intensity and fast-paced confrontation environment of the Premier League. The national team's goals cannot cover up the club's dilemma

Wilz's sluggish performance is particularly eye-catching because just a few days ago, he was still in the international arena. In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Northern Ireland, he scored with a direct free kick that shocked everyone. At that moment, countless Liverpool fans were full of expectations: Has he finally found his form and was about to explode at Anfield?

However, when returning to the club arena, reality quickly "slapped in the face". In consecutive matches against Bournemouth, Newcastle, Arsenal and Burnley, Wilz has never shown his inspiration during the Bundesliga. Once he encounters high-intensity pressure from his opponent, his weaknesses will be exposed - insufficient confrontational ability, limited running coverage, and insufficient decisive handling of the ball.

Liverpool coach Arne Slott had previously publicly reminded Wilz: "There are no weak teams in the Premier League, and every team may cause trouble for you." He particularly emphasized that even new teams or mid- and lower-level teams like Sunderland, Leeds United or Burnley can defeat strong enemies with their tough tactics and physical advantages.

This game is the proof of this warning. Burnley uses tight low-post defense and targeted pressing, which completely limits Wilz's activity space. He had difficulty receiving the ball in the opponent's half, and once he got the ball, he was frequently cut off and almost "disappeared" throughout the whole process.

As Liverpool's most important signing this summer, Wilz carries huge expectations. However, after four rounds of English surpassed the UK, he has not really proved that he is worthy of the sky-high transfer fee of £116 million.

If you want to get out of the trough as soon as possible, Wilz must:

Adapt the intensity of the confrontation and game rhythm of the Premier League faster;

Enhance the running without the ball and defensive participation;

Make more decisive and efficient decisions under high pressure.

The "pharmaceutical brain" that once called the wind and rain in the Bundesliga is now facing the most severe test of its career. Liverpool fans are still waiting - when will the Wiltz, who can dominate the game with dexterous footwork and deadly passes, actually land at Anfield?