Hugo Ekitike applauds fans after a match for Liverpoolplaceholder image
Hugo Ekitike applauds fans after a match for Liverpool | AFP via Getty Images
Florian Wirtz is putting himself forward as Liverpool’s signing of the season with his recent performances
Liverpool spent a record-breaking amount of money over the summer on new signings to boost their chances of defending their Premier League title.
Unfortunately for the Reds, their £446 million window has not had the desired effect. Despite luck and form seeming to be on their side in the early stages of the season, performances have since struggled to stay consistent.
Arne Slot has come under fire this season and his position as manager is once again being questioned. Liverpool’s 1-1 draw to Burnley marked their fourth consecutive stalemate, meaning the champions have dropped eight points in that time.
Had the Reds won their last four games, they would currently be second in the table, ahead of Aston Villa and Manchester City, who have both also suffered dips in form.
Florian Wirtz becoming a key player for Liverpool
Liverpool’s summer window has been an ongoing topic of discussion since the champions splashed an enormous amount of money on the likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.
The latter has endured a lot of criticism from fans and professionals during his maiden season. After recording 16 goals and 15 assists in his final campaign for Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz was backed to be an instant hit at Anfield, but it took him until the last game of 2025 to score his first Liverpool goal.
Since then though, the German international has been delivering exactly what fans have been waiting for. After his goal against Wolves, Wirtz has provided two important goals in Liverpool’s recent draws against Fulham and Burnley.
The 22-year-old has played in four different positions in his last four league appearances and has adapted well to all of them.
Wirtz has five goal-scoring contributions in his last seven appearances in all competitions for the Reds. Since his debut goal, it seems his confidence has grown and his work-rate is now starting to pay dividends.
Florian Wirtz praised by Liverpool teammate
The impact of Wirtz is no longer possible to ignore. During his struggling performances, Isak and Mohamed Salah were also under-performing, demanding Hugo Ekitike step up and become the star in attack.
The France international has been a star up front for the Reds and enjoyed a stunning run of scoring five goals in three games during December. He is undoubtedly in contention for Liverpool’s signing of the season accolade, but Wirtz is now also throwing his hat in the ring.
During Ekitike’s recent injury absence, Wirtz has stepped up when Liverpool have needed him most. The versatile play-maker is finally flourishing, just as Federico Chiesa said he would.
Back in November, the Italian winger lauded Wirtz with the highest praise and stressed to fans that he would become an important part of Liverpool’s set-up.
“The way he controls the ball, the way he touches the ball, it’s just world class,” Chiesa told Sky Sports (via This Is Anfield).
“Of course he has everything to be a success at Liverpool, there’s nothing holding him back. He came from another league. Hugo instead adapted quickly — [Florian] needs some time, that is normal. But the player is just amazing, from what I’ve seen.”
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