Florian Wirtz dazzled the Anfield crowd as Liverpool secured a comfortable 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League. The Reds faced their bitter rivals at Anfield with the intention of rectifying their form after a tough short spell.
Liverpool needed to add to their victory over Aston Villa to build some consistency before their clash against Manchester City. Arne Slot’s men did exactly that, and the convincing victory would only act as a source of confidence for them.
However, one of the biggest positives was Wirtz’s performance throughout the game, as he started from the attacking left-wing position. The 22-year-old has struggled to adjust quickly to the high physical demands of the Premier League during the current season.
Liverpool star Florian Wirtz created five big chances for his team against Real Madrid in the 1-0 victory at Anfield.
Liverpool star Florian Wirtz created five big chances for his team against Real Madrid in the 1-0 victory at Anfield.
Nevertheless, Wirtz’s talent is unquestionable, and he used the home game against Real as the best moment to prove that. The 22-year-old enjoyed the licence to roam freely from his position and drop centrally into his natural number 10 role.
According to the stat-based site Fotmob, Wirtz created the most chances (five) for Liverpool against Real during the 1-0 victory. The German international enjoyed 86% passing accuracy from 36 attempts and had 47 touches with five in the opposition box.
Furthermore, Wirtz boasted a 100% successful dribbling rate while winning 50% of his ground duel against a strong Los Blancos. Defensively, the 22-year-old made one tackle, one interception, and six recoveries, highlighting his all-around contribution and selfless style of play.
Wirtz’s slow start to the season was one of the factors that contributed to Liverpool’s recent period of dismay. Nevertheless, like any player, the German deserves all the backing and support instead of facing the unrealistic pressure of creating instant magic for the team in every game.
As the newly formed Liverpool side continues to build chemistry, Slot’s men have a chance to redeem their season. Rest assured, they have to take one game at a time, and the next one is one of the biggest Premier League clashes of the season, against competitive rivals Man City.