Florian Wirtz has now recorded two goals and four assists in 14 appearances for club and country this campaign.
Florian Wirtz has addressed the intense scrutiny he continues to face after playing a key role in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Brighton on Sunday at Anfield.
The 23-year-old helped Liverpool open the scoring when his shot was deflected into the net by Pascal Gross. Although he was credited with neither a goal nor an assist, Wirtz followed up his contributions against LASK, Brentford and Villarreal with another impressive performance.
The Germany international has now recorded two goals and four assists in 14 appearances for club and country this campaign.
Wirtz faced growing criticism in England and his native Germany before the September and October international breaks, following a disappointing first season at Anfield, an underwhelming 2026 FIFA World Cup and a quiet start to the campaign under Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has been among his most vocal critics, arguing that the midfielder should have been dropped on several occasions, most recently after the Reds’ 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.
However, Wirtz has since produced several eye-catching performances for Liverpool and offered his thoughts on the scrutiny surrounding him.
“Maybe I’m just an interesting guy, you know?” he told BBC Match of the Day. “No, I just play my football. “If people want to talk about me or judge me, that’s their job. I’m not focusing on that. I just want to play football and more I cannot do.
“I think many things weren’t so good in the last month so I’m even happier that it’s going well at the moment. It’s really enjoyable.
“We had the right mentality today to go into this game. In the first half or first 30 minutes, we were on top of them and really good in the duels, creating a lot of chances.
“Then in the end we just defended good. “We are in a good way to get where we want to be. We should keep going like that and I’m really happy about that.”
Speaking to Sky Deutschland in his native language, the German delivered a more defiant response. He said: “I don’t pay any attention to it at all.
“I really couldn’t care less what anyone has to say about me. So, everyone is welcome to talk about me. I simply play football because I enjoy it. Of course, I want to be successful.”
Florian Wirtz has meanwhile, played down the severity of the ankle injury that forced him off during Liverpool’s win over Brighton.
He was replaced by midfielder Trey Nyoni in the 65th minute after going down and receiving treatment both on and off the pitch. Wirtz could be available for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash against Chelsea at Anfield.
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