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Beth Lindop
LIVERPOOL, England — In a tightly contested match at Anfield against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Florian Wirtz showcased his skill by maneuvering past defender Matt Doherty, sparking an attack for Liverpool.
This moment of creativity in the first half was just the beginning of an impressive performance for the young German, who scored his first goal for the club, following his £100 million transfer from Bayer Leverkusen.
The excitement from his teammates after he scored past goalkeeper José Sá indicated the pressure he felt in his initial months in England. Having registered his first Premier League assist the previous week against Tottenham Hotspur, Wirtz likely felt a sense of relief as his performances began to align with his contributions on the field.
Wirtz had a standout performance against Wolves, notching 104 touches and successfully completing 71 of his 84 passes. He created more chances than any other player on the field and displayed a strong work ethic by pressing opposing defenders after losing possession. His latest display suggests the midfielder is finally making his mark in the Premier League.
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Wirtz expressed his joy postmatch: “I felt very good on the pitch with the fans around. I was really happy. I always believed I would score eventually, even if I wished it had come sooner. But I accept the process and know that more will come as I continue to push forward.”
He also had reason to celebrate with his former Leverkusen teammate, Jeremie Frimpong, who impressed in his first league start since August. Frimpong’s contributions from right-back helped Liverpool get on the score sheet when he set up Ryan Gravenberch in the 41st minute.
Just a minute and a half later, Wirtz doubled the lead with a well-placed shot following a precise pass from Hugo Ekitike, giving Liverpool a strong hold over a Wolves side still searching for their first league win. However, a header from Santiago Bueno early in the second half left Liverpool with an uneasy feeling, as they struggled defensively against set pieces this season.
With four instances of surrendering a 2-0 lead this season, Liverpool still faced potential difficulties late in the game, thanks to a remarkable challenge by substitute Conor Bradley to deny Jhon Arias.
“Going into the second half at 2-0, you expect a different game. But a goal can shift momentum, and that’s what we witnessed today,” Slot reflected. “Despite the 2-1 score, we maintained some possession, but it became a more level match, causing concern every time they approached. Overall, I didn’t see many clear chances created against us, but I did see a team fighting to secure the win, albeit not in the best of forms.”
Liverpool’s limited options from the bench have hindered their ability to manage games effectively. With striker Alexander Isak recovering from surgery and Mohamed Salah away playing for Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations, the team appears thin and might benefit from acquisitions during the upcoming January transfer window.
Nonetheless, Liverpool has now gone seven matches without a defeat across all competitions, accruing 14 of a possible 18 points recently in the league. Central to this revival has been Wirtz’s impressive performances, with Slot expressing his admiration for the player after the match.
“I believe it’s a weight off his shoulders,” the coach stated. “His reaction upon scoring reflected that, as did the joy of his teammates. In football, we often get judged by results, and players by goals and assists, sometimes overlooking other contributions throughout the match. Florian has had several good games for us, and it’s evident he’s improving. He’s becoming fitter and getting closer to his first goal, and it’s no surprise he scored today.
“He understands that one goal isn’t sufficient, and I hope he’ll find the net many more times. I was pleased with his overall performance too; he had some standout moments during the game.”
Indeed, Slot is correct: Wirtz’s contribution against a potentially struggling Wolves side can’t be considered the end goal. However, with this breakthrough, Liverpool will hope it marks the start of an exciting phase for their standout player.