Liverpool host Villarreal at Anfield on Tuesday, with kick-off at 8pm BST in matchday three of the Champions League league phase.
Andoni Iraola’s side have won both of their opening games in the competition. They beat Atlético Madrid 2-1 at Anfield on September 9, then won 6-3 away at LASK on October 14.
Florian Wirtz has been central to that form. He set up Bradley Barcola’s second goal in Austria and then drove Liverpool’s comeback at Brentford on Saturday, following a slow start to the season that had brought criticism.
Villarreal arrive on the back of a 3-1 win over Napoli on October 13, having lost 3-2 at Borussia Dortmund on matchday one.
According to Prime Video Sport, Wirtz has created more chances from open play in the Champions League than any other player since he joined Liverpool.
That output has recently shown in the Premier League too. Wirtz created nine chances from open play in the 2-1 win at Brentford, according to Opta, the most by any player in a Premier League game over the past six seasons.
Sadio Mane last reached nine, for Liverpool against Burnley in January 2021. No player had created more in an away league game since Samir Nasri made 10 in August 2011.
Wirtz also set up Victor Munoz’s equaliser in that game, after Alexander Isak had sealed the win. He had already assisted Barcola’s second goal at LASK, meaning he has now provided assists in consecutive Liverpool games across all competitions for the first time.
He has created 18 chances in the Premier League this season, level with Brighton’s Pascal Gross for the most in the division.
The numbers continue a trend from last season. Opta Analyst data shows Florian Wirtz created 95 open-play chances for Liverpool in all competitions in 2025-26, 27 more than any teammate, with Cody Gakpo next on 68.
Liverpool face the Villarreal game with fresh injury concerns.
Dominik Szoboszlai was forced off 32 minutes into his return at Brentford after a recurrence of his hamstring injury, while second-half substitute Jeremie Frimpong lasted only seven minutes before also going off injured. Iraola has said both will be out for “some time.”
Ryan Gravenberch is available again after serving a one-match domestic suspension at Brentford, following his red card against Manchester City.
The ban did not apply to the Champions League, so Trey Nyoni, who deputised in midfield at Brentford, is likely to make way.
Florian Wirtz has created more chances from open play than any other player in the UEFA Champions League since he joined Liverpool 🪄📈 https://t.co/fvx5FzFGt6
— Prime Video Sport UK (@primevideosport) October 20, 2026
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