Early signs from Wirtz, but Liverpool expect more

Florian Wirtz delivered one of his most influential performances in recent weeks for Liverpool in the away win at Brentford. Recording a goal or assist in each of his last three matches, all of them wins, is being read as a sign that the German playmaker is finding his feet. Andoni Iraola now wants the number 10 to sustain this brightness across the team's three demanding home fixtures.

This picture is developing against the backdrop of the debate that followed the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher argued that Wirtz should be dropped. Carragher said the 116 million pound signing has not produced the expected impact and that Gravenberch should not be sitting on the bench.

In the Brentford win, Wirtz unpicked the opposition defence and set up Victor Munoz's goal. In the match he created nine chances from open play, the highest figure recorded in a Premier League game since 2021. Across the season he is also the player who has made the most passes leading to chances in the league, with 20.

Coming on in the second half of the 4-3 home win over Villarreal, Wirtz scored his first goal since April. He has therefore contributed to goals in three consecutive matches. Liverpool have won five of their last six games with this result.

Full consistency has not yet been reached, but Wirtz's productivity and his impact within matches have clearly grown in recent weeks. Whether he can maintain this form in the crucial games ahead will matter greatly for both the player and Liverpool's season.