Florian Wirtz’s big-money move to Liverpool hasn’t ignited as many fans expected. The German international, hailed as a potential creative force, has faced criticism for underwhelming performances. Now, former Liverpool player Didi Hamann has suggested a shocking possibility: Wirtz could leave Anfield as early as January, with Real Madrid waiting in the wings.
Wirtz’s slow start coincides with Liverpool’s own struggles to find consistency in the Premier League. Jamie Carragher has even suggested tactical changes, hinting at Wirtz’s potential omission from the starting eleven. This raises serious questions about the young midfielder’s future on Merseyside.
Could Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid lure Florian Wirtz away from Liverpool?
Liverpool beat several top clubs to secure Wirtz’s signature, including Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid. The presence of Xabi Alonso, Wirtz’s former coach at Bayer Leverkusen, made Real Madrid a particularly attractive option. While Wirtz chose Liverpool, the allure of playing under Alonso in Madrid could resurface if his situation at Anfield doesn’t improve.
Hamann told Goal.com, “I wouldn’t rule anything out in today’s world, especially in football. It’s been reported that Xabi Alonso has asked Real Madrid to keep an eye on Florian Wirtz’s performances and what he does at Liverpool. I reckon it could be true. Because we know how fondly he talks of him.”
Hamann added, “He was the reason they won the league; they won the cup. He was the heartbeat of the Bayer Leverkusen team with Granit Xhaka, and yeah, they keep an eye on him. He’s too good to fail at Liverpool, but it’s been about 10 games now. You can never rule anything out.”
Premier League struggles: Is a January exit on the cards for Liverpool’s summer signing?
Hamann drew parallels with Juan Sebastian Veron’s ill-fated spell at Manchester United. “In my time, Juan Sebastian Veron came to Manchester United as potentially the best midfielder at the time. He lasted one season. So you can never rule anything out. It’ll depend on what happens in the next few weeks. But as I said, at the moment I wouldn’t rule anything out, and if Real Madrid are keeping an eye on him, it could happen.”
However, a January move seems unlikely. Real Madrid rarely pursue loan deals for major targets, and Liverpool are unlikely to give up on their investment so quickly. That being said, if Wirtz’s struggles continue, a summer departure might become a real possibility.
Liverpool will likely give the young German ample time to adapt to the Premier League. But with Real Madrid reportedly monitoring the situation, the pressure is on for Wirtz to prove his worth and justify his hefty price tag. The coming months will be crucial in determining his long-term future at Anfield.
