Former Liverpool winger John Barnes has tipped Florian Wirtz to emulate the impact of Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, provided the Reds structure their tactical setup around the German midfielder. Barnes believes that if the team is built to suit Wirtz’s strengths, the 23-year-old can replicate the historic playmaking success seen from Fernandes, who set a new Premier League record last season by providing 21 assists.
Wirtz’s debut campaign at Anfield proved challenging following his high-profile move from Bayer Leverkusen. The midfielder, who joined for a total package of £116 million—making him the fifth most expensive player in Premier League history—recorded five goals and four assists across 33 league appearances. His initial tenure under former manager Arne Slot was largely viewed as a struggle to adapt to the intensity of English football.
With the 2026/27 Premier League season set to kick off in just eight days, Barnes remains optimistic about the playmaker’s future. He dismissed the need for specific advice, suggesting that supporters will witness a significantly improved version of the player in the coming months. Under new manager Andoni Iraola, the focus may shift toward maximizing Wirtz’s creative output, a move Barnes views as essential for unlocking his full potential.
Reflecting on his difficult first year, Wirtz acknowledged that the experience was a learning curve. Speaking to the media about his transition to the league’s physical demands, the midfielder stated that he is now “more ready” for the upcoming campaign. He remains confident that the lessons learned during his debut season will provide a solid foundation for a stronger performance in his sophomore year at the club.
The pressure remains high for Wirtz to justify his significant transfer fee, especially as Liverpool looks to improve upon their recent domestic standing. While his first season under Slot was largely forgettable, the combination of his established talent and a new tactical direction under Iraola has generated renewed expectations that he can finally reach the elite levels of production expected of him.
The Portuguese midfielder broke the Premier League assists record last season by setting up his teammates 21 times across the course of the campaign.
