Richard Keys Sparks Debate With Florian Wirtz Merseyside Theory

Richard Keys shared a fascinating theory on Florian Wirtz after he was dropped from the starting XI for the Merseyside Derby.

Wirtz has started Liverpool's previous four Premier League matches following his £116 million transfer this summer.

But the 22-year-old has struggled to adapt to life in England, having excelled in Germany's top flight with Bayer Leverkusen.

He has been largely ineffective in games against Newcastle United and Arsenal.

Having played from the start against Atletico Madrid in midweek, Arne Slot dropped the German playmaker for Saturday's clash against cross-city rivals Everton.

Naturally, Slot's decision to drop Wirtz was the league fixture's main talking point ahead of kick-off.

On beIN SPORTS, Keys discussed his Liverpool form and proposed a theory to Jason McAteer and Andy Gray.

He asked: "What does it tell us that Wirtz is not selected today?"

McAteer suggested Slot's selection was based on the challenge of David Moyes' Everton.

Interrupting the ex-Liverpool midfielder, Keys said: "Does that mean he [Wirtz] doesn't have the tools that are required to play in the hurly burly of the Premier League when games matter?"

He later added: "Is this based... do you think on the fact he has been anonymous and barely got a kick against Arsenal... and this will be the same sort of game."

🗣️ "Does he [Wirtz] not have the tools that are required to play in the hurly burly of the Premier League...?"@richardajkeys, Andy Gray & @MCATEER4 on Florian Wirtz's start to life at Liverpool ahead of the 247th #MerseysideDerby.#beINPL #LIVEVE #LFC pic.twitter.com/PJ268pgzwm

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) September 20, 2025

Arne Slot explains why he dropped Florian Wirtz

Slot spoke to TNT Sports before kick-off and seemed to suggest the hectic schedule as to why he named Wirtz on the bench, alongside Alexander Isak, who made his debut against Atletico on Wednesday.

"The same thinking as Mac Allister on the bench against Atletico. Like I said it's three games in seven days, not in eight days, this is Sunday, Wednesday then Saturday. This is one of the most intense games that we have to play, so we try to manage it during Burnley and Atletico," he explained.

"For today I think Szoboszlai, who played both of those games as well, is more used to the intensity of the Premier League and this programme than Florian is coming from Germany. So it's only to do with so many games in limited time. I think he will feature, but not from the start."

Wirtz will likely remain on the bench for Liverpool's Carabao Cup tie against Southampton next Tuesday, but he will be aiming to return to the team when the Reds face Crystal Palace on September 27.