Florian Wirtz, the 22-year-old German international, achieved a significant personal milestone by scoring his inaugural goal for Liverpool. This crucial strike proved to be the winner for Arne Slot’s side, securing three vital points and propelling them back into the highly competitive top four of the league table.
This achievement marks a strong recovery for the Reds, who had previously endured a challenging spell that saw them briefly drop into the bottom half. While they still trail Aston Villa and Arsenal at the summit, the victory established a valuable three-point cushion over rivals Chelsea and Manchester United, effectively halting what had been a worrying period of decline.
Wirtz, a former Bayer Leverkusen standout, has faced his share of scrutiny this campaign, yet his performances have steadily improved over the past month. His rise in form began with an impressive showing in the victory against West Ham United and culminated in this long-awaited first goal in his 23rd appearance for the club.
Van Dijk Praises Intelligence and Work Rate
Following the crucial win, captain Virgil van Dijk expressed his delight for the young midfielder, predicting a bright future for him at Anfield.
“I was very happy for him. He played a very good game. Everyone was outstanding in the first half. It’s great to see, and hopefully, many more [goals] are to come from him,” Van Dijk stated.
The Dutch defender noted Wirtz’s ongoing acclimatization to the Premier League`s demands and the team`s style:
“He’s getting used to playing for Liverpool and what we want to do as a team. He`s adapting to the intensity. I think he runs almost everywhere. At times on the left, at times in the middle. He`s a highly intelligent player who is so comfortable on the ball. He finds space between the lines and can be extremely important.”
Van Dijk emphasized that Wirtz`s overall contribution extends beyond just goals and assists:
“He wants to be important in terms of goals and assists. But the work rate he puts in and the chances he creates is what I think is even more important. I am really pleased for him, like the rest of the team. You saw the celebrations. Everyone is so happy for him.”
Slot: “A Relief for Him”
Head coach Arne Slot echoed Van Dijk`s sentiment, suggesting the goal would alleviate significant pressure on the midfielder.
“I am quite sure it was a relief for him,” Slot remarked, noting the strong positive reaction from Wirtz and his teammates. “In football, rightly so maybe, we mainly get judged on results and individuals mainly get judged on goals and assists, and we sometimes forget what else is there to do during a game.”
Slot affirmed Wirtz’s progression and fitness:
“I think he has had multiple good games for us, and I also think he is getting better every game he plays for us. He is getting fitter and fitter and was getting closer and closer to his first goal, so it is not a surprise he scored today. He will be the first to understand that one goal is not enough. So hopefully, he will score many more goals for us than just this one. But I also liked his performance during large parts of the game today; I think he was special in a lot of moments.”
Looking Ahead
Wirtz will aim to utilize this crucial momentum to play a decisive role in Liverpool’s push for silverware this season, justifying the high price tag and expectations surrounding his transfer. His career at Anfield is still in its early stages, providing numerous opportunities for the playmaker to consistently influence Premier League matches.
Speaking after the match, Wirtz shared his satisfaction with breaking his duck:
“It was very nice, the feeling on the pitch with the fans around, I was very happy. I was confident that I would score one day, I wanted to start scoring and assisting earlier, but it was like this, I have to accept it, but I just knew that it would come, and I had to keep going.”
