In the match against Wolverhampton, Liverpool secured a 2-1 victory, with Wirtz scoring the Reds' second goal, marking his first in the English top flight. The German had waited 23 games, or over 1,500 minutes of play, for his debut goal since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen this summer in a record-breaking €125 million deal, potentially rising to €140 million. Manager Arne Slot described Wirtz's performance against Wolves as special, noting his visible relief after the goal, but emphasized that this must be just the beginning of his contribution to the team.
Following the match, Wirtz openly discussed the moment that could ignite his Anfield career: "It was a great feeling, the feeling on the pitch with the fans around me. I was very happy and still am," said the young German.
Wirtz Gains Two Kilograms of Muscle
What prompted the change? Wirtz underwent a specialized program to adapt his physique to the intensity required for English football, gaining approximately two kilograms. The rigorous gym sessions are finally paying off, and in this match, he appeared two or three steps ahead of everyone else on the field. He overcame challenges from previous games, opted for direct passes, and is finally harnessing his full potential and strength. No more "running into empty spaces" or shying away from the ball. Florian possesses all the valuable German efficiency you'd expect off the ball, spiced with a nimble touch and a creative eye.
Of course, there's a significant counter-argument to any discussion about Wirtz or any other Reds player. "Lads, it's Wolves," one might say. Rob Edwards' side, despite their best second-half efforts, is in disarray. But you can only beat what's in front of you, and Wirtz has finally started to show he can lead the next generation of great creators at Liverpool. However, for €125 million, it will take much more than one goal against Wolves to earn that status.
Prior to this match, many had criticized Wirtz for his modest statistics since arriving in the Premier League, despite his hefty transfer fee and status as one of Europe's most talented attacking midfielders. However, experts now view his first goal as a potential turning point in his adaptation to English football, known as one of the most demanding and fastest leagues in the world. This all comes at a time when Liverpool was under pressure to stabilize their form and remain in contention for the top of the Premier League. The victory over Wolverhampton extended the team's unbeaten run to seven consecutive games, clearly indicating the club's upward trajectory heading into the rest of the season.
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