Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during the pre-season friendly match Liverpool vs Monaco at Anfield, Liverpool, United Kingdom on 09 August 2026 (Photo by Jorge Horsted/News Images)
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during the pre-season friendly match Liverpool vs Monaco at Anfield, Liverpool, United Kingdom on 09 August 2026 (Photo by Jorge Horsted/News Images)
Florian Wirtz went into Sunday’s game against Brighton after a difficult start to life under Andoni Iraola. He came in for criticism after Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City earlier this month.
Florian Wirtz has spent the opening months of his second Liverpool season under heavy scrutiny.
He drew criticism after the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City earlier this month, and with nearly 60 appearances for the club he is still working to show the consistency that made him a big-money signing
Iraola defended him in the days that followed. The head coach called for more balanced coverage after Wirtz created nine chances in the win at Brentford.
Wirtz’s recent form had picked up. He set up a goal for Bradley Barcola at LASK and then Victor Munoz’s equaliser at Brentford. He also scored in Tuesday’s 4-3 Champions League win over Villarreal.
Against Brighton, he again played a central part.
His shot in the 17th minute deflected off Pascal Gross and went down as an own goal, so he still waits for his first Premier League goal of the season. Alexander Isak made it 2-0 four minutes later, finishing a Barcola delivery.
It was Liverpool’s fourth straight win in all competitions and their first home league win of the season. The result lifted them to fourth, one point behind third-placed Brighton.
Wirtz did not last the match. He hurt himself trying to stop Brighton’s Yasin Ayari with a foul just before the hour. He played on briefly after treatment. Trey Nyoni replaced him in the 65th minute.
Iraola described it as “a small twist of the ankle” and said Liverpool would assess him, as the team plays every three days. The club later confirmed an ankle injury. Early indications were that it was not serious.
Wirtz spoke to Sky Germany after the match.
“We haven’t done any checks or anything yet, but I don’t think it’s all that bad,” he said.
“In the last few weeks, I’ve been a bit bent up and down now and then, I just need to get that under control.”
He then addressed his availability. “Then I think I’ll be back in the next match too,” Wirtz said.
That match is the Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday, before Liverpool host Arsenal on Sunday.
Wirtz has started all eight of Liverpool’s Premier League games this season. He has no goals and two assists in the league. Across all competitions, he has one goal and three assists in 11 matches.
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