De La Fuente admires Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz, wishes he were Spanish

At a press briefing in Madrid, 65‑year‑old Luis de la Fuente smiled as he spoke about the talent pool at Liverpool. The Spain head coach, who has already lifted the Nations League in 2023, the European championships in 2024 and the World Cup in 2026, said he wishes a ‘fantastic’ Liverpool player were Spanish.

Spain coach’s admiration

When German daily asked which foreign talent he would love to add, de la Fuente named Florian Wirtz. “Florian Wirtz, he is fantastic,” he laughed, adding, “Unfortunately he does not have a Spanish passport. I like the way he plays.”

Wirtz’s Liverpool challenges

The 23‑year‑old German is on a £116 million contract, yet his first season was described as hit‑and‑miss, falling below expectations for a player of his calibre.

A recent report blamed Liverpool’s tactical setup, the perceived selfishness of Mohamed Salah and the 2025 overhaul for limiting Wirtz’s impact, arguing that the club’s “dynamism and robustness” clash with his style.

In Germany, Wirtz remains highly regarded, with many clubs noting his creativity and work rate, and his profile has risen among Spanish observers who see him as a potential asset for La Roja.

Andoni Iraola has nonetheless trusted the midfielder, starting him in all five Premier League matches this campaign.

Former defender Jamie Carragher, however, warned that Iraola faces a decision ahead of Manchester City’s visit to Anfield on 11 October, insisting Wirtz would not feature if he fails to produce against Bournemouth. “I think going forward Iraola’s got a decision to make here. Wirtz would not be in my Liverpool team,” Carragher said, adding that a poor showing against Bournemouth could see the German sidelined for the next three weeks.