Florian Wirtz recorded two goal contributions in Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Newcastle United.
Gary Neville believes that Florian Wirtz is ‘starting to purr’ for Liverpool.
The attacking midfielder played another instrumental role in the Reds’ 4-1 victory over Newcastle United. Wirtz assisted Hugo Ekitike’s first goal for Liverpool to equalise before netting his side’s third in the second half with a clinical finish.
Wirtz has bagged six times in the past 10 matches in all competitions. After joining Liverpool for £100 million from Bayer Leverkusen during the summer transfer window, the Germany international had a soft launch to his Anfield career.
But Wirtz has adapted to the physical demands of the Premier League and is starting to show the form that made him so deadly for Leverkusen. And Neville believes the partnership between Wirtz and Ekitike will be key to Liverpool having a successful end to the season.
Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, the former Manchester United and England defender said: “The response from Liverpool was excellent. I've been saying it for quite a while, I've been saying Ekitike is fantastic for quite a while, but Wirtz has just got to get himself in that left channel, as close to the penalty box as he can. He really can slow his mind down in those final moments. He's got real composure, a cold mind. I've said all season he drops too deep.
“There's an element of watching Bruno Fernandes close to [Bryan] Mbuemo; just get Wirtz close to Ekitike, get them near to each other and you'll be in business because he's got the quality in tight areas and can find a pass. He can manipulate the ball and knows where he is. It's a real unique quality do be able to do that and that's why Liverpool paid the money for hm. He looks like he's starting to purr now, it was a great response from Liverpool in what's been a real difficult time for them.”
Wirtz and Ekitike - signed for up to £79 million from Eintracht Frankfurt - have combined for six goals in all competitions this season. On the pair’s rapport, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said: “ I don’t think it comes to a surprise to anyone – definitely not to me because the more players play together, the more they can find an understanding. And I’ve tried to explain why it was difficult for them to play earlier in the season every three days again, and now they are able to do that, because they can keep going. They can play more often together, we can play more often with the same team or same combinations and, as last season has shown, the more you can play together, the better it is.
“And I’ve always said that I would love to play, not love, but I prefer to play as much as I can with the same 11. But for obvious reasons, that wasn’t always possible, but now it’s more and more possible and then you can also see that connections are getting better and better – not only with these two but also with other players.”
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