Wirtz’s first goal gives Liverpool win over Wolves at crucial time

LIVERPOOL, England – With Liverpool stuck in their own half at Anfield against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Florian Wirtz dropped his shoulder and drove past Matt Doherty to relieve pressure and launch the hosts on the attack.

That small display of ingenuity midway through the first half of the Reds’ 2-1 win on Saturday set the tone for an accomplished individual performance from the Germany international, capped by his first goal for the club since his £100million summer move from Bayer Leverkusen.

Judging by the way Wirtz was congratulated by his delighted teammates after beating goalkeeper José Sá in the 42nd minute, it’s fair to assume that his lack of tangible attacking power weighed heavily on him during his first few months on Merseyside. But after grabbing his first Premier League assist against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, the 22-year-old would be right to think his numbers are now starting to match his increasingly influential performances for Arne Slot’s side.

Against the Wolves, Wirtz had 104 touches and completed 71 of his 84 pass attempts. He also created three chances – more than anyone else on the pitch – and was quick to chase down opposing defenders on the rare occasions he gave away the ball. After spending months in the media spotlight, the midfielder’s latest outing suggests a player is finally starting to shine on the Premier League scene.

– Slot pays moving tribute to Jota ahead of Liverpool v Wolves
– Transfer window overview: what do the big European clubs need?
– How much is each position really worth in the Premier League?

“It was very nice to feel on the pitch with the fans,” Wirtz told Sky Sports after the match. “I was very happy and I still am. I was sure that I would score one day. I wanted to start scoring and assisting earlier, but it was like that and I have to accept it. I just know that it will come and I try to continue like that.”

Wirtz will also have been delighted to see his close friend and former Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong play against Rob Edwards’ struggling side. Making only his first league start since August, the Netherlands international injected some much-needed pace and guile into Liverpool’s play from right-back, brilliantly teeing up Ryan Gravenberch to open the scoring in the 41st minute.

Just 90 seconds later, Wirtz had doubled Liverpool’s lead following an incisive pass from Hugo Ekitike, putting the hosts firmly in control against a Wolves side who are still without a league victory this season. That the Reds still endured the afternoon with a sense of anxiety, following Santiago Bueno’s header from a corner early in the second half, will no doubt be a cause of consternation for Slot. His team have now conceded 12 goals from set pieces in the top flight this season.

Since the start of the campaign, Liverpool have surrendered a 2-0 advantage four times in all competitions. But for a stunning challenge from substitute Conor Bradley to deny Jhon Arias late on, that rotten record could well have been extended on Saturday.

“Of course, if you’re 2-0 up at half-time you expect a different second half than what we’re facing, but in football a goal can change the dynamic and that’s what you saw today,” Slot said after the match. “It’s not that after the 2-1 we no longer had possession of the ball, but it was a much more equal game and then you get scared every time when they come, but I don’t think we conceded many big chances. For the rest, I saw a team that was fighting to win on the line, not with the best football possible, but there was a real fight.”

Liverpool’s current lack of options on the bench certainly doesn’t help their cause in terms of game management. With striker Alexander Isak expected to be out for months after undergoing ankle and fibula surgery, and Mohamed Salah out for the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt, the Reds are lacking game-changers and looking light all over the pitch – something it might be prudent to rectify in the upcoming January transfer window.

However, Liverpool are now unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions and have collected 14 of the last 18 points available in the league. Wirtz’s improved form has been at the heart of this resurgence, and Slot was full of praise for the midfielder after Saturday’s game.

“I’m sure it was a relief for him,” said the Dutchman. “I could see his reaction when he scored the goal and it was the same with his teammates, they were really happy for him. In football, perhaps rightly so, we are judged mainly on results and individuals are judged mainly on goals and assists and we sometimes forget what else there is to do during a match. “And I think he has several good games for us, but I also think he is improving every game that he plays for us. He’s getting fitter and getting closer to his first goal and it’s no surprise he scores today.

“He will be the first to understand that one goal is not enough. So I hope he scores many more goals for us than this one. But I also liked his performance for a lot of the match today, I think he was special in many moments.”

Of course, Slot is right: Wirtz cannot and will not settle for just one goal against a team that could be on course to reach the lowest points total in Premier League history. But now that the shackles are finally off, Liverpool will hope this is just the beginning for their new star man.