Florian Wirtz was billed as Liverpool’s marquee signing of the summer, a £116m arrival from Bayer Leverkusen set to headline Arne Slot’s new project at Anfield. At just 22 years old, he was already seen as one of Europe’s most gifted young playmakers — a player Liverpool fans believed could transform their midfield.

But only weeks into his Premier League journey, concerns are already mounting. A late scare in the clash against Arsenal has left supporters uneasy, and recent remarks from Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann have only heightened those fears.

Wirtz’s Liverpool career has started at full throttle. Slot has wasted no time in making him a key figure, using him in every competitive game so far — from the Community Shield to league fixtures against Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Arsenal. Yet, despite his influence, there’s a worrying trend: in each outing, he has been withdrawn early, visibly struggling with the demands of English football.

Against Arsenal, it looked like he might finally complete a full 90 minutes. But in the dying moments, the midfielder went down grimacing, needing help from Liverpool’s medical staff before hobbling off. The sight immediately triggered flashbacks for fans, who have seen high-profile names like Thiago Alcântara and Naby Keïta suffer constant injury setbacks during their time at Anfield.

Arne Slot moved quickly to ease nerves, joking that the issue was no more than cramp after “85 minutes of Premier League intensity.” Yet, his lighthearted explanation hasn’t fully convinced the fanbase.

And now, new fears are emerging. On international duty with Germany, Nagelsmann has made it clear he won’t be sparing Wirtz from a heavy workload. “He is one of our most important players – he should perform, and he will,” the national coach declared ahead of Germany’s World Cup qualifier with Slovakia.

For Liverpool, those words will sting. With a packed September ahead — including Premier League matches, Champions League commitments, and the League Cup — the last thing Slot needs is his record signing being pushed to breaking point before he’s even settled in.

All eyes now turn to Germany’s fixtures, as Liverpool fans anxiously wait to see if Wirtz returns to Merseyside fit — or carrying the kind of problem that could derail his much-anticipated debut season.