The 20-year-old German playmaker, acquired from Bayer Leverkusen in July 2025, was labeled a liability by the former Manchester United and Everton star, who claimed Wirtz “damages” Liverpool’s balance rather than enhancing it. Rooney’s remarks, aired on his BBC podcast on September 29, have left Wirtz visibly furious, with reports of him clashing with manager Arne Slot after a team meeting. The tension comes at a critical juncture, with Liverpool reeling from a 2-1 Premier League loss to Crystal Palace and facing a tough trip to Istanbul’s Rams Park.
Wirtz, hailed as a generational talent after 11 goals and 12 assists in the Bundesliga last season, has struggled to adapt to the Premier League. In eight appearances, he’s yet to register a goal or assist, substituted early in every start, including after 62 minutes against Palace. Rooney argued on his podcast that Wirtz disrupts Slot’s high-pressing system, suggesting Dominik Szoboszlai or Curtis Jones better suit the midfield. “He’s a superstar, but he’s costing them,” Rooney said, even taking a jab at Anfield’s “freezing” away dressing rooms.
The comments hit a nerve, with Wirtz reportedly telling Bild, “I’m here to improve the team, not break it,” and confronting Slot over the criticism. Fans are livid, flooding X with over 50,000 posts, including #WirtzOut and #RooneyDelusional. Supporters like @AnfieldEdition called Rooney’s take “agenda-driven,” urging Slot to give Wirtz more minutes. Even Coleen Rooney, a Liverpool fan, poked fun at her husband with a meme about locking him out of Anfield.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Liverpool’s 21-man squad for Galatasaray—featuring Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and others but notably excluding Wirtz and the injured Federico Chiesa—has already drawn fan ire for lacking creativity. Slot defended Wirtz pre-match, saying, “He’s adapting to a new league. We believe in him.” However, with Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen potentially returning and a hostile crowd awaiting, the Reds need unity.
Wirtz’s absence from the traveling squad, alongside Chiesa’s injury and Giovanni Leoni’s long-term ACL issue, fuels concerns about depth. Fans fear a repeat of dropped points, with Liverpool top of the Premier League but shaky after Palace. Pundits like Alan Shearer have dismissed Rooney’s critique, calling Wirtz “a luxury” the team needs. Meanwhile, Everton fans relish the chaos, with Rooney’s comments stirring Merseyside rivalries.
As Liverpool face a crucial UCL test before meeting Chelsea on October 4, the spotlight is on whether Wirtz can rebound from this public dressing-down or if Rooney’s words will haunt Anfield’s record signing. The atmosphere is electric, but the Reds must channel this tension into results.
