Florian Wirtz Finally Breaks His Liverpool Duck After Half a Year

More than six months after joining Liverpool, Florian Wirtz finally gave fans the moment they had been eagerly anticipating. After 190 days, 23 appearances, and 27 attempts at goal, the club’s £100 million signing finally found the net.

The breakthrough came just before halftime on a chilly Christmas fixture at Anfield — an unexpected stage for the German’s first strike. The delay in opening his account made the moment even more emotional for supporters, and Arne Slot admitted afterward that the goal lifted a huge weight from Wirtz’s shoulders.

That relief extended to the final whistle, as Liverpool narrowly edged past bottom-placed Wolves in a match that proved far more tense than comfortable. While Wirtz’s goal suggested a straightforward victory, the contest required resilience and ultimately his finish was the decisive moment.

Wirtz’s slow adaptation to English football mirrored Liverpool’s broader challenge in justifying their hefty summer spending. Nevertheless, the victory — though imperfect — was powered by the new signings. Wirtz’s goal, combined with creative contributions from other arrivals, hinted at tangible progress, even if it did not instantly justify the reported £450 million investment.

Beyond scoring, Wirtz showed glimpses of the qualities that had convinced Liverpool to make such a significant outlay: sharp ball control, nimble footwork, and inventive passing. Slot described several of his actions as “special,” while also noting that attackers are ultimately judged on goals and assists.

This milestone goal, in particular, highlighted Wirtz’s growing influence. Hugo Ekitike split the Wolves defence with a precise through-ball, allowing Wirtz to surge forward and calmly slot the ball under José Sá. Earlier, Wirtz had reversed roles by creating a chance for Ekitike that rattled the post, showing his impact extended well beyond his own finish.

Liverpool’s opener also involved the new signings. Jeremie Frimpong’s searing run down the wing set up Ryan Gravenberch, who finished emphatically. Slot praised Frimpong’s pace as a key asset. Despite these bright moments, Liverpool started slowly and looked increasingly vulnerable as the match wore on.

While the win extended their unbeaten run to seven games and earned 14 points from the last six league fixtures, the performance was less convincing than the numbers suggested. Wolves, still searching for a first victory and enduring their worst top-flight start in over a century, caused genuine problems. Defensive lapses, particularly from set pieces, returned to haunt Liverpool. Wolves pulled one back when Santiago Bueno converted a rebound from Tolu Arokodare’s powerful header, prompting Slot to highlight the team’s struggles on both ends during dead-ball situations.

The visitors continued to pressure, forcing Alisson into key saves and testing Liverpool’s composure. In the end, Liverpool held on without exerting control or dominance, but secured a vital three points — a result that could prove crucial both for their season and for Wirtz’s confidence moving forward.