Florian Wirtz’s ability to link play between the lines at Liverpool has been so important this season, in the eyes of Jermaine Pennant.
Wirtz was heavily criticised when he first moved to England and was not scoring or assisting.
However, the German has quickly cemented himself as a crucial player, and Pennant now thinks that when he’s not in the side, Liverpool look ‘dead’ as a team.
Who was YOUR Man of the Match in Liverpool’s win over Wolves? 😁
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammate Dominik Szoboszlai and Andrew Robertson during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Florian Wirtz is the spark in Liverpool’s team
Speaking on the Wildcards Podcast this week, Jermaine Jenas asked the former Reds player: “You get the job at Liverpool, Arne Slot has been sacked. What’s the first thing that you do? You know, let’s say you got the job start of January, the windows open. Who would you have sold? Who would you have looked to bring in? Who would you be building the team around?”
Pennant responded by naming Wirtz and highlighting his importance to Liverpool when it comes to linking midfield and attack.
He said: “I think probably Florian Wirtz. I think we see when he’s not playing how Liverpool literally just look dead.
“He is the spark in that team. He does connect the midfield to the front line. He’s just good on the ball.”
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Florian Wirtz during Liverpool v Leeds United - Premier League
Credit: Liverpool FC/Getty Images
Florian Wirtz’s connection with Liverpool teammates in numbers
Despite starting the season slowly, the 22-year-old now has six goals and eight assists to his name this term.
Wirtz’s connection with Hugo Ekitike has proven to be particularly fruitful since their summer arrivals, with the pair linking up for a team-high six goals in 2025/26.
Throughout the Reds’ history, no duo have combined for more goals in a single campaign when both players are aged 23 or under (Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen also six in 2002/03).
Teammate Joint goal participation
Hugo Ekitike 6
Dominik Szoboszlai 2
Cody Gakpo 1
Curtis Jones 1
Mohamed Salah 1
Conor Bradley 1
Alexander Isak 1
Now, with Wirtz making his return off the bench against Wolves, expect him and Ekitike to break that record very soon.
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