Liverpool's January Crossroads: Could Wirtz Be Loaned Out to Boost a Struggling Reds?

Background

Dietmar Hamann, the former Liverpool midfielder and German international, argued that Florian Wirtz—the 22-year-old who joined the Reds last summer for £116 million—could leave on loan in January.

Interest around the price tag has lingered since his switch from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool, especially with Alexander Isak later breaking a record, prompting questions about whether the outlay has paid off so far.

Current form and challenge

The season has been tough for Wirtz: no goals in 16 appearances and just 3 assists, with a muscle injury keeping him out as Liverpool endure their worst start in 71 years after losing 9 of their last 12 matches in all competitions.

Hamann told CoinPoker.com: "Is Florian Wirtz still able to leave Liverpool on loan in January? Yes. With all the backing from the club and the manager, if you bring in someone for that fee, perhaps he should be the right fit, but he is very young and may still have to prove himself. Sometimes I watch him lose the ball and wonder if his confidence has been knocked by the pace and power of the Premier League; I hope I am wrong, but that’s what it looks like to me."

Outlook

Hamann also warned that his future at the club could be discussed by the board if he does not perform well before Christmas, noting that Wirtz does not look happy at Anfield after a disappointing start.

With Liverpool sitting 12th in the Premier League and having lost six of their last seven games, the 22-year-old faces added pressure to make an impact soon, or risk spending more time on the bench as the club searches for an attacking spark.

"Wirtz puts in a lot of defensive work, which earns him praise, but the goal is to impact the attack, and that hasn’t happened yet. He has until Christmas to prove his value; if he doesn’t, the club will discuss his future with both sides," Hamann said.

As the team’s form dips, Liverpool’s need for goals is urgent, and the pressure on Wirtz to deliver only grows as the calendar approaches Christmas.

Punchlines: If January loans were a comedy set, this would be the moment the mic drops on expectations and the crowd waits for a goal. And if the rumor mill keeps spinning, Liverpool may finally have a transfer plot twist worthy of a late-season finale.