Florian Wirtz was in no doubt that his first Liverpool goal would come eventually, having finally broken his duck for the Reds.
The German has been under much scrutiny since his £116 million move from Bayer Leverkusen, with some sections of the media far too harsh on him.
Wirtz was superb in Liverpool’s 2-1 at home to Wolves, scoring his first goal for the club and celebrating in delighted fashion.
• READ: Liverpool 2-1 Wolves: Player Ratings
In an interview with Premier League Productions after the game, Wirtz claimed that he never worried about his drought, accepting that patience was required.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 27, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz celebrates after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“It was very nice,” Wirtz said.
“The feeling on the pitch with the fans around [the stadium]… I was very happy and I liked it!
“I was confident that I would score one day. Of course, I wanted to start scoring and assisting earlier, but it was like this.
“I had to accept it, but I just knew that it would come, and I just tried to keep going like that.”
Wirtz bullish about Liverpool’s season
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 27, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz celebrates with team-mate Hugo Ekitike (R) after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Wirtz also spoke positively about Liverpool’s unbeaten run and aims for the season, saying only first place is good enough.
“That’s the way we want to do it, we want to be there, and we want to be top of the table,” he added.
“It’s not been an easy start for us, but I think in the last games we have been doing better and better and getting the points.
“We are just trying to win every game now and today we had the next three points, so it’s good.”
Florian Wirtz for Liverpool vs. Wolves:
? Highest xG (0.66)
? Most final third passes (54)
? Most duels won (11)
? Most touches in opp. box (9)
? Most successful take-ons (7)
? Most chances created (3)
And his first Premier League goal. ?? pic.twitter.com/APOx7tImnG
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 27, 2025
A world-class player coming into his own
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 27, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz scores the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
There has been understandable pressure on Wirtz to match the hype this season, and there is no question that he hasn’t performed like a £116 million player for much of it.
That said, the 22-year-old has been impressive for weeks now, shining in a left-sided role and bagging to his first Premier League goal and assist.
With each passing game, the it feels more like Wirtz is adjusting to a faster and more powerful league, and he possesses world-class ability that is coming to the fore.
Such is the tribal nature of modern football, it is only natural that rival supporters will look to criticise him at every opportunity.
But away from the lazy narrative, Wirtz is turning into one of Liverpool’s most influential players during the festive period.
He has elite-level creativity, but also works endlessly for the team out of possession, making six defensive contributions and winning two tackles against Wolves, per FotMob.