Florian Wirtz got himself on the scoresheet as Liverpool eased past Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday.
It’s been a weird season for the Reds, who look completely out of their depth in the Premier League but have largely impressed in Europe.
A 3-0 win over Marseille last week saw Liverpool climb back into the top eight ahead of their final group phase tie on January 28.
mail iconJoin our newsletter for news & smart analysis.
Qarabag have never beaten an English side before and that record continued on Merseyside.
In the end, Liverpool secured a dominant win, and Florian Wirtz was among those to impress.
Who was Liverpool’s best player on a much better night at Anfield?
So many good displays vs Qarabag
Liverpool FC v Qarabag FK - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Steven Gerrard explains Florian Wirtz improvement vs Qarabag
Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike are close to matching a record set by Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard.
And while covering the game live as a pundit for TNT Sports on Wednesday, Gerrard has showered the German midfielder in praise.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
He said: “He’s looking even bigger, stronger and more powerful now. He’s handling the duels and the physical side a lot better now, and he’s getting more comfortable and more confident.
“His first goal and his first few assists have made him really grow, you can see him oozing class and confidence now. I was never worried about the talent, it was just a matter of time.”
Who should be Liverpool’s starting right-back now Jeremie Frimpong is injured?
He could be missing for some time…
Wataru Endo pictured while playing for Liverpool during their Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Credit: Getty Images/James Gill - Danehouse).
Curtis Jones in action for Liverpool during their UEFA Champions League match against Inter Milan at San Siro (Credit: Getty Images/Photo Agency).
Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after scoring for Liverpool during their FA Cup match against Barnsley at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse/Photo Agency/Liverpool FC
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Xabi Alonso was right about Florian Wirtz at Liverpool
Gerrard said he was never worried about the midfielder’s talent, but he’s not the only ex-Liverpool star who has known Wirtz would be a success for some time.
Liverpool beat Real Madrid in the Champions League earlier this season when Xabi Alonso was still in charge.
Speaking ahead of that match, Alonso backed Wirtz to be a success at Liverpool.
He said: “Yes, for sure [Wirtz will be a success].
“I have no doubts. It is just a matter of time. For sure it is a big change for him to come to Liverpool after so many years in Germany, he’s been there all his life. And a few years in Leverkusen.
“He needs to adapt but he is a really special player. He has quality and personality and he’s competitive, so when he makes that trick, it has happened with great players in the Premier League before and I’ve no doubts with Flo.
“He is very special and probably one of the reasons I’m here now, is because of Flo, so I’m very grateful to Flo.”
It turns out the Spaniard was completely right about his former player, who now has five goals and seven assists to his name after a very quiet start.
Whether Alonso will become Liverpool manager at some point in the future remains to be seen, but it would be interesting to see if the coach could get even more out of the Reds’ £116m man.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox