Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz has really come into his own as a Red over the last couple of months following a slow start.
The Reds paid big money for the former Bayer Leverkusen talent, who won the Bundesliga under Xabi Alonso.
However, amid a lack of goals and assists during a period when Liverpool were losing a lot of matches, Wirtz was heavily criticised.
mail iconJoin our newsletter for news & smart analysis.
Are you confident Liverpool will beat Newcastle United this weekend?
Dominik Szoboszlai during Liverpool v Barnsley - Emirates FA Cup Third Round
Credit: Liverpool FC/Getty Images
We are yet to win a Premier League game in 2026…
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
But fast-forward to January, and the 22-year-old has firmly arrived at Anfield.
Xabi Alonso was right about Wirtz at Liverpool, with the German now having five goals and seven assists to his name.
Now, the versatile midfielder has been discussing another of the Reds’ summer additions.
Florian Wirtz praises Hugo Ekitike
Like Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike arrived from the Bundesliga, signing from Eintracht Frankfurt.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
The Frenchman now sits as Liverpool’s top goalscorer in 2025/26, and in an interview with the BBC, Ekitike has received high praise.
Speaking about the striker, Wirtz said: “Because we know each other already from the Bundesliga. And we played a few times against each other. We exchanged our shirts already when he was at Frankfurt, and he’s a really fantastic player and he even surprised me when I first saw him here, training and playing, because I didn’t know he was that good.
“And it’s so much fun to play with him because he knows how you move on the pitch, how you link up with each other. And yeah, it’s just nice to play with him.”
PROVE ME WRONG: Hugo Ekitike WILL have a better Liverpool career than Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez prior to Nashville SC v Inter Miami CF - 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring for Liverpool during their UEFA Champions League match against Qarabag at Anfield.
Credit: Johnnie Izquierdo/Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike can make Liverpool history
In the last couple of months, we have seen Ekitike and Wirtz’s partnership beginning to shine.
They most recently linked up for a goal in Liverpool’s 6-0 win over Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The duo have now assisted each other five times in all competitions this season.
Only Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard (six in 2002/03) have combined for more Liverpool goals in a single campaign when aged 23 or under.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox