Florian Wirtz's New Era at Liverpool: A Fresh Start

Florian Wirtz has only been back a few days, but already Liverpool’s new era feels different.

The German playmaker has stepped into Andoni Iraola’s first sessions at the club and found exactly what he wanted: the ball, and plenty of it.

“I just can say that the training is really fun,” Wirtz said. “I enjoyed every training [session]. We play a lot of games and possessions, and that’s exactly what I like. I just enjoyed it until now.”

For a player of his profile, that matters. Iraola has already made one thing clear: Wirtz will be a pure number 10 this season, not shunted wide, not asked to improvise a role that blunts his instincts. Central, between the lines, where he can hurt teams.

A reset after a flat first year

Wirtz’s first campaign at Anfield was solid on paper: seven goals, 10 assists. Respectable numbers in a new league, in a team that never truly caught fire. But the 21-year-old is not dressing it up.

“Of course I wasn’t happy at all (last year) — about the season, I mean,” he admitted. “I was not unhappy every day when I came to training, but I think we expected much more.

“I think we start from zero this season. Also here with this training camp, it’s a new start. We have a lot of things to do better this season and I’m very excited for season two.”

That phrase — “start from zero” — hangs over Liverpool’s summer. Arne Slot’s brief tenure is already over, Iraola has walked into a squad that underperformed, and Wirtz stands right at the heart of the rebuild, the creative hub around which the attack is being redrawn.

Iraola’s blueprint: Wirtz behind a fit Isak

If last year felt disjointed, this one has a clearer shape. Wirtz as the 10. Alexander Isak as the spearhead. Runners and width around them.

Isak, now fully fit, is being talked about in glowing terms by his new manager.

“I think he has come in a good place,” Iraola said earlier this week. “I think he was good in the World Cup. I saw him comfortable. First training [sessions] here, I think I’ve seen a good version of Alex.

“Still, it’s very early because he has just started training, but I hope he can have some minutes against Leeds and build properly a proper pre-season.

“It’s not going to be very long but he will have three or four weeks of quality training, I hope, and we can put him in a good place because he is going to be massive for us this season.”

Behind those words lies the plan: give Wirtz a sharp, mobile target to feed, then let his passing and movement dictate games. If a deal can be struck with PSG for Bradley Barcola, the attack gains another direct, high-ceiling option on the wing, and the picture becomes even more intriguing.

Club, country and Klopp

Wirtz’s season will not just be defined by Anfield. On the international stage, another giant figure is about to step into his world: Jurgen Klopp.

The former Liverpool manager has taken charge of Germany, and even from a distance his presence is already being felt.

“It’s very, very cool that [Klopp is] there now,” Wirtz said. “I’ve not spoken to him yet but a lot of people here at the club told me about him, that he is a fantastic guy. All of Liverpool loves him. So, I’m very excited to meet him in a few months.”

The dynamic is striking. Iraola shaping Wirtz as the central creator in a new-look Liverpool. Klopp preparing to harness the same talent in a Germany side desperate for a new attacking identity. Two demanding coaches, one pivotal player.

A second season with weight

Seven goals and 10 assists gave Wirtz a platform. Iraola’s system gives him a stage. The training ground, by his own account, gives him joy.

Now comes the hard part.

Liverpool have framed this as a reset, a clean slate after a year that fell short of expectations. Wirtz has embraced that idea, talking about starting from zero, talking about doing “a lot of things” better.

If he thrives as a dedicated number 10, with a fully firing Isak ahead of him and potentially Barcola stretching defences, this won’t just be a fresh start.

It will be the season Liverpool find out if Florian Wirtz is the player they build around for the long term — or the one they merely talk about in terms of what might have been.