Andoni Iraola, the head coach of Liverpool, recently addressed criticism aimed at Florian Wirtz, a German midfielder who joined the club in a high-profile transfer worth up to £116 million last year. Iraola emphasized that Wirtz is contributing to the team in various ways, even though he has not yet scored this season and has only recorded one assist. The German international has faced challenges in maintaining a consistent performance level since joining the club, but Iraola believes he should be judged based on his actual performance, not the high expectations that come with such a significant transfer. Iraola acknowledged that Wirtz is not meeting some of the immediate goals fans and critics might expect, such as scoring or creating more opportunities. However, he praised the midfielder for his effort and his ability to support the team in multiple areas of the game. "He is trying to help in every aspect of the game," Iraola said. He also noted that Wirtz, who previously played for Bayer Leverkusen, has been given some rest recently to allow him to recover and adjust to the demands of playing for Liverpool. Iraola added that Wirtz is still a key part of the team and that he expects the midfielder to continue developing. In addition to discussing Wirtz, Iraola also spoke about Ronald Araujo, the Uruguayan defender who moved to Liverpool from Barcelona last season. Araujo, who was a central defender at Barcelona, has taken on the role of right-back at Liverpool and has become a first-choice player. Iraoal praised Araujo for his humility and the positive attitude he has brought to the club. He noted that Araujo has played more minutes than expected and has maintained his physical condition well, despite the different demands of playing as a right-back instead of a center-back. Iraola encouraged Araujo to learn English to improve communication with his teammates, highlighting the importance of language in team cohesion. "I like his spirit," Iraola said, adding that Araujo has adapted well to life at Liverpool and is continuing to grow as a player. Both Wirtz and Araujo are seen as important additions to the squad, and Iraola remains confident in their ability to contribute to Liverpool's success.