Florian Wirtz looked to have finally scored his first goal for Liverpool, only for his strike to be ruled as an own goal, but the No. 7 was unbothered by the verdict.
After 16 appearances without a goal, Wirtz looked to have ended his wait with a timely equaliser in front of the Kop, only for the goal accreditation panel to adjudge it an own goal.
Nordi Mukiele instead gets the credit instead of Wirtz, who had worked the space perfectly to save his side from succumbing to a 10th defeat in 14 games.
And at the end of the day, that was all that mattered to the German. Speaking to Sky Sports after the 1-1 draw, Wirtz said of the own goal verdict: “It doesn’t matter today.
“We drew and we wanted to win. That’s what counts today. Unlucky.”
Curtis Jones was a little more forthcoming, calling it a “shame” for Wirtz, who has found himself heavily scrutinised since his £116 million transfer to Liverpool.
Florian Wirtz “very happy” at Liverpool
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 3, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz celebrates with team-mate Curtis Jones (L) after scoring Liverpool's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
But the German has insisted he is “very happy” at the club after snubbing other offers to make the move to Anfield, with his focus now on helping the team rediscover their form.
“I was very welcomed by the team, one of the main reasons is because of Curtis. It is a very good team and I am very happy to be here,” Wirtz added in his Sky Sports interview.
“The last weeks were a bit difficult for us as a team, but we are on a good way to come back and we are doing everything to come back and win games.
Anfield ERUPTS as Florian Wirtz scores his first Premier League goal for Liverpool! ? pic.twitter.com/rnm3UMyyxC
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 3, 2025
“We wanted the win today, we want to be on top of the table and we just have to keep working hard and then hopefully things will change.”
Liverpool are currently 11 points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal, and while the ambition is the bare minimum at the football club, current form suggests it is not on the cards any time soon.
Slot has yet to show a sustainable way forward that will steer the Reds out of their malaise, though Wirtz has shown further promise in his two appearances on return from a minor injury.
A start against Leeds on Saturday, however, could be questionable for the No. 7 after playing 165 minutes in four days, with Slot already conceding his outing at West Ham was a “risk.”