Florian Wirtz admits there is an expectation on him to "decide games" at Liverpool as he gets set for a recall at Bournemouth on Sunday
Florian Wirtz joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen last summer
Florian Wirtz joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen last summer(Image: Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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Florian Wirtz admits there is an expectation on him to "decide games" at Liverpool as the No.7 explained why he believes the team are heading in the right direction under Andoni Iraola.
Wirtz has been used almost exclusively as Iraola's No.10 in his midfield system and has played five times for an unbeaten side so far ahead of Sunday's final fixture before the international break, away to Bournemouth.
Germany international Wirtz is tasked with being the team's main source of creativity in Iraola's tactical framework and the £116m playmaker accepts that comes with demands of being the difference maker for the Reds.
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Wirtz sat out Tuesday's 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup but knows the onus will be on him once more if he is selected at the Vitality on Sunday afternoon.
"I think [Iraola] has made his ideas very clear from the start," Wirtz told Liverpoolfc.com.
"I feel that the team understands it more and more and we just make it better every week and in every game. I think it's going in a good direction.
"I think we had a few games where we could have scored more goals to win the game. I have also the expectations for myself to decide games.
"We need me and the attackers to finish the games off, so we definitely try to work on that.
"It's good that we are still unbeaten. For sure we want to have more points at this stage. But I think it's still a good base to build on – let's try to keep going like that and get even more points.
"We have to be very ready. I think the manager knows them really well so maybe there's a small advantage we have – but we have to be ready and very focused for this game."
On Sunday's game itself, Wirtz added: "I played I think one time over there and it was already hard.
"My team-mates told me before it's going to be a hard game but there are quite a lot [of those] in the league. It will be an intense game.
"We have to be very ready. I think the manager knows them really well so maybe there's a small advantage we have – but we have to be ready and very focused for this game."
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 9: Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool celebrate 2nd goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 9, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai celebrate after the latter scored Liverpool's winner against Atletico Madrid