Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter and get behind-the-scenes access and unrivalled insightJoin the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletterJoin the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletterThe wait lasted 190 days. More than six months after signing, approaching half-time in his 23rd appearance, with the 27th shot he attempted as a Liverpool player, Florian Wirtz scored. It is safe to say they did not expect the £100m buy to open his account in the bitter Christmas cold but his drought explained the reaction at Anfield. “I am quite sure it was a relief for him,” said Arne Slot. There was further relief when the final whistle went as Liverpool laboured to victory against bottom-of-the-table Wolves; it transpired that Wirtz delivered the decider whereas, when he scored, a rout felt feasible. There was a significance for the side and for the statement signing who, with his slow start to life at Anfield, became a symbolic figure in unwanted ways.But flawed as this victory was, it was secured by summer signings, with Wirtz’s goal accompanied by assists for two more of the class of 2025. It is far from enough to render Liverpool’s £450m spending spree a success but that signified a step in the right direction for the newcomers.And for Wirtz, in particular. There were delectable touches against Wolves, moments of deft footwork, chances created by artistry; evidence that Liverpool will not come to rue their investment. “He was special in a lot of moments,” Slot said. But, as he accepted, a goal was required. “In football, individuals get judged on goals and assists and we sometimes forget what else is there,” the Liverpool head coach added. “I think he has multiple good games but I also think he is getting better every game and is getting closer and closer to his first goal and it is not a surprise he scores today. He will be the first to understand that one goal is not enough. He will go on and score many more goals than one for us.”open image in galleryFlorian Wirtz (left) was on target for Liverpool (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Wire)Wirtz’s return of 34 goals in his last two seasons for Bayer Leverkusen suggests as much. He had thought he got a first for Liverpool against Sunderland, but it went down as a Nordi Mukiele own goal. He was not to be denied again. “I was confident that I would score one day,” he said, after that day finally arrived. “I wanted to start earlier scoring and assisting but it was like…
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2025-12-27 18:54:42
