Jamie Carragher praised Florian Wirtz’s first-half performance against West Ham United, claiming he was “head and shoulders above everyone”.
The German was at the heart of Liverpool’s best moments and created several openings for his teammates. Wirtz was also presented with the best chance of the opening 45 minutes, but didn’t manage to test Alphonse Areloa.
Playing in a no.10 role, Wirtz habitually drifted out to the left flank and linked well with Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak.
Speaking during Sky Sports’ half-time coverage, Carragher praised his impact, and said: “[Wirtz] has been the best player on the pitch. It's his best 45 minutes in a Liverpool shirt.
“I thought initially he'd be on the right, but he's been in his favoured position, tucked in on the left between the lines.
“He should do better with his chance, but he's been head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch.”
Wirtz was starting a Premier League game for the first time in three weeks, due to the injury he sustained while on international duty.
The ex-Bayer Leverkusen man operated as Liverpool's most advanced midfielder, which resulted in Dominik Szoboszlai shifting to the right wing and Mohamed Salah dropping to the bench.
Despite his impressive first half, Wirtz could not inspire Liverpool to a first-half lead. But he was involved in the opening goal of the game, which came just before the hour mark.
Wirtz's pass was retrieved by Gakpo, who then flashed the ball into the box and found the waiting Isak. The Swede finished coolly into the bottom corner to give Liverpool the lead and net his first league goal for the club in the process.
Unlike Isak, Wirtz is still searching for his first Premier League goal and assist since his summer switch to Liverpool.
His best performances this season have tended to come in the Champions League, with Wirtz providing two assists in Europe.