Liverpool's German midfielder #07 Florian Wirtz (R) celebrates with Liverpool's French striker #22 Hugo Ekitike (L) after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on December 27, 2025.placeholder image
Liverpool's German midfielder #07 Florian Wirtz (R) celebrates with Liverpool's French striker #22 Hugo Ekitike (L) after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on December 27, 2025. | AFP via Getty Images
There were some impressive performances from a selection of Liverpool star's during Saturday's win over Wolves at Anfield
Liverpool moved into fourth in the Premier League table on Saturday afternoon in what turned out to be a somewhat nervy win over winless Wolves at Anfield.
The Reds led 2-0 at half-time after two goals in as many minutes from Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz, who both dropped impressive displays on Merseyside. The hosts conceded from a corner in the 51st minute as Santiago Bueno essentially hit into an empty net after Alisson Becker was left on the floor after making an initial impressive save.
Liverpool managed to see out the game and move into fourth as Chelsea went on to lose 2-1 to Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge. While the Reds’ results have improved of late, their performances have still left a lot of questions as Arne Slot looks to put a the miserable run of form during the autumn behind them.
Clinton Morrison heaps praise on Hugo Ekitike
French striker Hugo Ekitike has arguably been Liverpool’s best signing of the summer. He hit the post early on against Wolves but was still involved in the goals despite not getting on the scoresheet.
He provided the assist for Wirtz’s first goal in a Liverpool shirt, as he took possession from just inside his own half and played a perfect through ball to the Germany international to finish at the Anfield Road end.
Before the game, Morrison said of Ekitike: “Ekitike doesn’t worry about who is around, he plays with so much ability. He plays with fun, freedom and the one thing he is doing is scoring goals. He has been a hell of a signing and even if Alexander Isak was fit, he [Ekitike] would be Liverpool’s number nine at this moment in time.”
Ekitike had scored five goals in his previous three games before adding an assist to his goal contribution tally in the win over Wolves. He has 11 goals and two assists in his 25 appearances for the Reds.
Arne Slot details reason behind Hugo Ekitike’s impressive Liverpool form
Speaking about the striker’s form before the victory over Wolves, Reds boss Arne Slot said: “I think he has showed a lot of hard work to get to this fitness level where he is at the moment.
“It sometimes took us, me, a bit of convincing that this all is actually needed to become stronger but he always did it - and not always with a smile on his face!
“But he has worked really hard to get fitter and fitter and fitter on and off the pitch and I’ve tried to convince him as well that the better you defend a set-piece the bigger chance you have to score a goal at the other end because if you are 0-0 it’s easier to score a goal than when you are 1-0 down.
“This might sound strange but what it does with the energy levels of the other team, if you are conceding or if you are 1-0 up, that is a difference.
“So, for us, for him to score goals it’s also important that we hardly concede, let alone in set-pieces. But he has worked really hard to get where he is now and I think he is ready to go into a programme we are facing now but he is not the only No.9 I have.
“I have Federico Chiesa I can play in that position as well so I have the chance to, I wouldn’t say rest him, but take him off if he is completely tired with Federico Chiesa being available.”
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