Xabi Alonso Backs ‘Special’ Florian Wirtz To Silence Liverpool Critics After Tough Start

When You Have A Manager Like Xabi Alonso Singing Your Praises, You Know It’s Serious.

The Real Madrid boss has come out to back his former student, Florian Wirtz, amid the German’s rocky start at Liverpool. After making a high-profile £116 million move from Bayer Leverkusen this summer, Wirtz has yet to hit the dazzling heights fans were promised — but Alonso insists it’s only a matter of time.

“He’s special. I have no doubts. It’s just a matter of time,” Alonso said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Madrid.

For context, Alonso isn’t just speaking as an old friend — he’s the man who helped turn Wirtz into one of Europe’s brightest midfield stars during Leverkusen’s fairy-tale double-winning season. And apparently, Wirtz’s brilliance even played a role in Alonso landing the Real Madrid job. That’s how deep the bond runs.

A Slow Start, But Signs Of Promise

Let’s be real — Liverpool fans haven’t seen the full Wirtz magic yet. Fourteen appearances, three assists, and no goals isn’t exactly what you expect from a £116m signing. But then again, the Premier League isn’t the Bundesliga — and adjusting to the physicality, intensity, and constant fixture pile-up can humble even the most talented ballers.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot is keeping faith, too.

“He’s brought exactly what we expected,” Slot said. “He’s creating, he’s adapting, and he’s unlucky not to have more goals or assists. It’s normal when you come into this league at 22.”

In short: patience, people. Wirtz is a creator, not a sprinter. And once he finds his rhythm, Liverpool’s attack could be frightening.

Alonso’s Emotional Connection

Perhaps the most touching part of Alonso’s comments was his acknowledgment that Wirtz influenced his own career:

“One of the reasons I’m here (at Real Madrid) is because of Flo,” Alonso said with a smile.

Talk about full circle — from Leverkusen’s midfield maestro to a Champions League showdown where student faces teacher.

The Sports Market Takeaway

In the fast-paced world of football, fans often forget that adaptation takes time. But stories like these — loyalty, belief, mentorship — remind us why we love the game. Whether you’re watching Wirtz find his feet or Alonso continue his meteoric rise in management, one thing’s certain: football’s market never runs out of drama, value, and heart.

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