Iraola Backs Wirtz: Liverpool Boss Defiant Before LASK
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has backed under-fire Florian Wirtz ahead of the Champions League trip to LASK. The £116m summer signing has struggled for consistency, managing five goals and four assists in 39 Premier League appearances, and was withdrawn in the 66th minute of Sunday's 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City.
- Competition: Champions League
- Fixture: LASK vs Liverpool
- Liverpool's PL position: 9th after six matches (W2 D3 L1)
- Wirtz's PL record: 5 goals, 4 assists in 39 appearances since £116m move
- Last match: Liverpool 0-3 Manchester City; Wirtz subbed off 66th minute
- Champions League opener: Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid
What was said
"No, I think he has had a little bit of everything this season."
"He has had good games, probably the other day was not his best game, especially offensively. We trust Florian."
"Florian is a very good player. He was coming from good performances in the international break, I think. I think it is a matter of everyone to find his moment."
"I think, first of all, the best way we can help is with a collective performance."
"When the team is playing well, it is controlling the game, and everyone will be feeling better and position themselves in better places."
"The other day, for example, I thought it was very important that Ryan Gravenberch played also. You were asking about Ryan in the same way before the game."
"It is a team that won their competition last season and is used to controlling a lot of games when they are in the domestic competition."
"My biggest worry is not just one player or the other, it is to collectively be efficient as a team."
Iraola's defence of Wirtz is carefully calibrated. He acknowledges the poor display against City but refuses to make it definitive. By highlighting the international break and the need for collective improvement, he shifts scrutiny away from the individual while demanding more from the team structure. The mention of Ryan Gravenberch is pointed: competition for places is real, and Wirtz is not immune.
The numbers
- Transfer fee: £116m (summer 2025)
- Premier League appearances: 39
- Premier League goals: 5
- Premier League assists: 4
- Liverpool's 2025/26 PL record: 6 matches, 2 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss, 9th place
- Champions League: Opened with win over Atletico Madrid
Why Iraola is protecting Wirtz — and why it matters
Florian Wirtz was signed to decide big games, but his output has been modest. Iraola's public backing is a tactical move: with Liverpool ninth and searching for fluency, isolating the playmaker would be counterproductive. The head coach knows that confidence is fragile, and a public show of faith may help Wirtz rediscover the form that persuaded Liverpool to pay £116m.
Yet Iraola also sent a warning. By praising Ryan Gravenberch, he reminded everyone that selection is competitive. Wirtz will not be indulged indefinitely. The team's structure — controlling games, better spacing, sharper pressing — must improve for Wirtz to thrive. Against LASK, a side that won their competition last season and dominates domestically, Liverpool need control. If they find it, Wirtz has a platform to silence the noise.
Talking points
- Should Wirtz be dropped for the LASK trip to rediscover form, or does Iraola need to keep playing him to build rhythm?
- Is £116m for five goals in 39 league games already a failure, or is it too early to judge a player adapting to a new league?
- Iraola says the best way to help Wirtz is collective performance — but is that just deflecting from the manager's own tactical shortcomings?
- With Gravenberch praised, does Wirtz face a genuine fight for his starting spot, or is Iraola just managing media pressure?
What happens next
Liverpool travel to LASK in the Champions League. A win would steady a shaky start and give Wirtz a chance to build momentum. Defeat would intensify scrutiny on both the player and Iraola. The next Premier League fixture follows, and with Liverpool ninth, they cannot afford to fall further behind.
Frequently asked questions
Is Florian Wirtz starting for Liverpool vs LASK?
The source does not confirm the line-up, but Andoni Iraola has publicly backed Wirtz, suggesting he remains in contention to start.
How many goals has Florian Wirtz scored for Liverpool?
Wirtz has scored five goals and provided four assists in 39 Premier League appearances since his £116m move.
What did Iraola say about Ryan Gravenberch?
Iraola highlighted Gravenberch's importance, saying it was very important that he played against Manchester City, implying competition for places.
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