Leeds United’s Anton Stach makes Florian Wirtz prediction that Liverpool fans will love to hear

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There is pressure on Anton Stach to perform at Leeds United having joined as the club’s most-expensive signing of the summer. But imagine the weight on Florian Wirtz’s shoulders at Liverpool.

Leeds spent north of £100m on 10 new players in the summer and Stach was the most expensive signing at £19.9m. Noah Okafor came in second at £18m, while goalkeeper Lucas Perri set Leeds back £15.6m.

Stach has come in for criticism in the last few weeks, after plenty of promise in his first weeks. A goal against Milan in a friendly and then a free-kick against Wolves saw Stach start well, but his form dipped.

It has since become apparent that Stach has been playing with a broken finger and rib. However, he has two more goal involvements in the Premier League than Liverpool’s £116m signing Florian Wirtz.

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Anton Stach says Florian Wirtz deserves Liverpool patience

Bought for an enormous fee, there was massive hype among the Liverpool fanbase when the signing of Wirtz had finally been confirmed. It comes after 122 goals and assists in just 197 Leverkusen outings.

Stach is well-placed to judge Wirtz, having faced the Liverpool star six times in Germany with Mainz and Hoffenheim. He told Kicker that Liverpool fans need to be patient with Wirtz and he will come good.

“Yes, I’ve heard a bit about it,” Stach said, when asked about criticism of Wirtz. “Liverpool had a very good start, and Flo has been playing regularly. There’s a lot of pressure in England with such a high price tag.

“People were quick to judge. He simply hasn’t had many goals or assists so far, but he’s still put in some good performances. I’m sure the goals and assists will come; he definitely has the footballing quality.”

Anton Stach’s record against Florian Wirtz in German football

Interestingly, Stach and Wirtz have also played alongside each other on one occasion, for Germany’s U21 side at the 2021 U21 European Championships. A quarter-final win against Denmark on penalties.

But Stach, who largely played as a defensive midfielder in Germany, attempted to stop Wirtz on six occasions. Three with Mainz and three with Hoffenheim. Stach was victorious in two of those six games.

That list of six outings could become eight with Leeds and Liverpool doing battle twice over the course of the winter period. Leeds host Liverpool on December 6, before Leeds go to Anfield on New Year’s Day.