Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid: Match Verdict
Florian Wirtz returned to Liverpool’s starting line-up against Real Madrid and delivered an eye-catching performance despite one report.
Those who made the trip from the Spanish capital to Anfield could hardly grumble. Europe’s most successful club were well and truly put to the sword.
It was as emphatic a victory it could have been for a match to be decided by one goal. Alexis Mac Allister may appear the hero on the face of things, but the Reds’ performance was immense.
Even the most partisan Madridistas could not argue that Real deserved anything from the Champions League battle. They were indebted to Thibaut Courtois’ heroics in the Los Blancos goal.
Yet there was one take that was folly. AS Diario claimed that Florian Wirtz was ‘virtually invisible’ which was the only ‘negative note’. It might have been a match which Wirtz again failed to break his Liverpool goal duck and did not record an assist. Those stats will be used by those outside of Reds persuasion to disparage him further after a £100 million summer arrival from Bayer Leverkusen.
In truth, it is complete hogwash. Returning to the starting line-up, he arguably enjoyed his best game since joining the Premier League champions.
For starters, no player covered more ground than Wirtz in the game. UEFA stats read that the Germany international racked up a total of 11.37km throughout. Wirtz pressed Madrid relentlessly; their defence would not have felt that the 22-year-old was unseen.
Certainly, Dominik Szoboszlai recognised the grafting performance from Wirtz. He might be an attacking midfielder, but the ex-Cologne man is no luxury player. Wirtz is willing to put in a shift.
His positional play caused plenty of problems for Real. Although his official position on the team sheet was the left wing, Wirtz was given freedom aplenty to roam.
And had Szoboszlai’s finishing been better, or Courtois not enjoyed his latest stunning performance against Liverpool, Wirtz might have moved on to three assists in this seasons’ Champions League and four in all competitions. In the first half, Wirtz picked out Szoboszlai inside the box but Courtois made a fine save.
“I have to mention Flo because he just kept on running, winning the balls and having his chances,” said Szoboszlai after the win. “He almost gave me an assist.”
That wasn’t the only attacking contribution from Wirtz that hurt Madrid. In total, he completed five key passes and two successful dribbles. Wirtz also registered an 86 per cent passing rate, made four ball recoveries and came out on top of four ground duels.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said: “He played outstanding. Also in defending, he was outstanding. It is just about being able to keep going, find your way into the team and be important. If you’re not, then be important off the pitch.”
If Wirtz was regarded as playing clad with an invisibility cloak then the potential he has when that is removed is gargantuan. There is a reason why so many current and ex-players and coaches have insisted he will be a hit at Liverpool - Madrid boss Alonso included. Wirtz is still adapting to the challenges of the Premier League - but has shown plenty of actions why Liverpool splashed out such a fee.
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