Florian Wirtz scored his first Liverpool goal against Wolves, with Arne Slot backing the midfielder to build confidence and deliver more goals.
Florian Wirtz’s first Liverpool goal felt like a release for both player and supporters. The Germany international ended his wait in front of the Kop against Wolves. The reaction inside Anfield said everything about the pressure he had been under. Relief quickly turned into belief that this moment could spark something bigger.
Wirtz arrived in the summer for a club record £116million fee and expectations followed immediately. For months, the quality was visible without end product. Against Wolves, the finishing touch finally arrived. It was his 21st Premier League shot and the one that mattered most.
Liverpool beat Wolves 2-1 at Anfield, with goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz before the break. Santiago Bueno pulled one back early in the second half to create tension but Liverpool held on for a third consecutive Premier League win. Liverpool have now earned more points from their last three games than they accumulated in their prior 10 matches. The match was preceded by an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota, with both sets of fans joining in remembrance as his children joined the mascots before kick-off.
Wirtz’s breakthrough came a week after his first league assist at Tottenham. That pass for Alexander Isak’s opener showed his confidence was already rising. Slot believes that contribution was just as important as the goal itself. Momentum, rather than patience alone, is now working in Wirtz’s favour.
The 22-year-old was Liverpool’s most inventive player against Wolves. He completed seven of his nine dribbles, a total bettered by only two players this season (Illiman Ndiaye-nine vs Liverpool, and Jeremy Doku-eight vs Burnley). He also created chances and drove Liverpool forward when spaces were tight. This was not just a goal, but a complete performance.
Arne Slot said Wirtz has been close to scoring for weeks. He stressed that goals do not define every performance, even if they shape opinions. Slot believes Wirtz will score many more for Liverpool. He also pointed out that the midfielder delivered far more than just the finish.
Virgil van Dijk echoed that view after the game. He praised Wirtz’s intelligence and movement between the lines. The captain also noted that Wirtz is still adapting to the league’s intensity. Fatigue late on was seen as part of that learning process.
The timing of Wirtz’s first goal could not be better for Liverpool. Mohamed Salah is away at the Africa Cup of Nations, removing a major source of goals. Alexander Isak is also sidelined for weeks with a fractured leg. Those absences open the door for Wirtz to take on more responsibility.
With minutes and trust likely to increase, Wirtz now has the platform to build rhythm. Liverpool need creativity and goals from midfield during this period. Slot has already highlighted Wirtz’s importance on the ball. This run of games could define his first season in England.
Liverpool have now won three straight league games and are unbeaten in six. Wirtz has taken 22 Premier League shots, with an expected goals value of 3.0. His link up with Hugo Ekitike continues to grow and looks central to Slot’s plans.
Liverpool host Leeds United on January 1st as they look to climb close the gap on third place Aston Villa. For Wirtz, the wait is over. Now comes the challenge of making goals a habit rather than a milestone.
