Florian Wirtz was a standout performer in Liverpool's much-needed 2-0 win over West Ham this weekend in a huge result for Arne Slot
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool controls the ball during the Premier League match against West Ham
Florian Wirtz put in a fantastic display for Liverpool against West Ham(Image: Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz responded to recent criticism from Gary Neville in the best possible fashion as the Reds finally got back to winning ways with a 2-0 triumph over West Ham on Sunday afternoon.
The Germany international returned to the squad - and the starting line-up - for the first time since the defeat to Manchester City before the international break. He was forced to miss the dismal losses to Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven due to a minor injury, but was back fit in time to face West Ham.
After the loss to rivals City, Wirtz was on the receiving end of a scathing assessment from Neville, with the pundit claiming the 22-year-old "looked like a little boy" and was a problem for Arne Slot.
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He said on the Gary Neville Podcast earlier this month: "Wirtz is a problem. Let's just call it as it is. It's an issue. He's £100m+, and to be fair, I said a few weeks ago [Milos] Kerkez looked like a little boy out there.
"Today I thought Wirtz looked like a little boy. That can't be the case."
Against the Hammers, it was arguably a player of the match performance from Wirtz. In the first half in particular, the attacking midfielder was crucial to Liverpool’s build-up play, and everything positive seemed to run through him.
Wirtz posted a 95 per cent passing accuracy, which was the highest of any player on the pitch who played 45 minutes or more. His link-up play was outstanding, though he lacked the decisive end product, as shown by a tame first-half effort straight at Alphonse Areola, which was a big opportunity missed.
He got the pre-assist in the build-up to Alexander Isak's opening goal in the second-half, picking out Cody Gakpo in space. He was substituted soon after and made way for Curtis Jones.
Jamie Carragher’s own assessment of Wirtz pre-match was arguably far more reflective of where he currently stands. The promise and potential are clear; he is always involved, but he now needs to find a way to have a more decisive impact with goals and assists.
"I want to see him having a big impact on games and that hasn't happened yet," Carragher said on Sky Sports before kick-off. "He's been neat and tidy and that's the best way you could describe his Liverpool career so far.
"He wants to be between the lines. Eventually, going forward — and he's found it tough centrally — wide left is the position he might find himself in."
Liverpool, and Wirtz, will hope to build on their impressive display when they host Sunderland at Anfield in midweek. With a trip to Leeds United to follow next weekend, it's more important than ever that Slot’s side use the win as a springboard to finally put together a consistent run of good form.