Florian Wirtz continued his excellent run of recent form by scoring a lovely opening goal during Liverpool’s disappointing draw with Burnley on Saturday.
The German has been a slow burner after making a £116m move to Anfield over the summer but is now really starting to find his feet.
Wirtz made it six goal contributions in seven games after lashing an excellent reversed shot into the roof of the Anfield Road net, giving Liverpool the lead at a crucial point in the game.
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Can anyone take the Man of the Match award off Florian Wirtz vs Burnley?
Who was Liverpool's best player on Saturday?
Florian Wirtz playing for Liverpool vs Burnley
Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images
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Having seen Dominik Szoboszlai crash a penalty against the bar, the Reds were minutes away from heading into the changing rooms with a frustrating stalemate score line, but then up stepped Wirtz to whack home his third Premier League goal of the campaign.
While the 22-year-old deserved praise for the manner in which he took the strike, both Hugo Ekitike and Curtis Jones played crucial roles and were praised for their efforts.
Hugo Ekitike and Curtis Jones praised for ‘brilliant’ work
It was not only the goal which caught the eye from Wirtz on Saturday, his all-round play was once again a joy to behold as he picked up all sorts of positions on the Anfield pitch.
Playing something of a free role, the No. 7 slalomed past Burnley players and generally looked like Liverpool’s most dangerous player.
Florian Wirtz celebrates with Curtis Jones after scoring for Liverpool against Burnley in the Premier League.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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But as good as Wirtz was, he could not do it alone. His goal owed plenty to Ekitike and Jones, with the former embarking on a brilliant run down the Liverpool left before the latter picked him out nicely in a packed penalty area.
Watching the game for Sky Sports, pundit Michael Dawson hailed Ekitike in particular, claiming he went past the Burnley defence ‘like it wasn’t there.’
“This is brilliant from Ekitike down the left-hand side,” he raved. “It’s a lovely ball from Van Dijk, switch of play, the touch from Ekitike, once he’s made a great touch you think he’s got Walker, he’s got Tuanzebe around him. He gets past these two as if they’re not there.”
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Dominik Szoboszlai strikes the crossbar with a penalty during Liverpool's Premier League match against Burnley at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Dan Istitene).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Dan Istitene
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“He gets into the box, tight angle, inside the six-yard box, hits it at Dubravka, it comes back. Curtis Jones does really, really well because there’s bodies everywhere, lends it to Florian Wirtz, must be 14, 15 yards out. Outside of his boot, second touch and then he reverses it, leathers it into the top corner. 1-0 to Liverpool, great finish, only what they deserve.”
Don Hutchison continues praise of Liverpool duo
Dawson was not the only pundit impressed with the work of both Ekitike and Jones in the build-up to the Liverpool goal.
Former Reds midfielder Don Hutchison also felt the duo deserved praise while on punditry duty for premierleague.com.
“Ekitike does really well, Curtis Jones keeps the move alive and that’s a ruthless finish from Florian Wirtz,” Hutchison said.
“One touch to get it out of his feet and whipped into the top corner. Makes it look easy in the end – such a talented player.”
Wirtz and Ekitike have struck up an excellent partnership of late, and with Jones now getting in on the act, brighter days are hopefully coming soon.
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