Florian Wirtz Shines in Liverpool's Victory, But Consistency Remains a Challenge

Wirtz has faced criticism for not living up to the expectations that followed Liverpool's club-record £116 million purchase from Bayer Leverkusen in June 2025. Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard suggested that Wirtz might benefit from being taken out of the lineup to regain his confidence.

The dilemma for Iraola was on full display against Brentford. Following their first league loss of the season last weekend to Manchester City, Liverpool rebounded strongly, scoring twice in the second half against a Brentford team reduced to ten players before halftime. Liverpool generated numerous opportunities, with 14 of their 21 attempts coming in the second half.

Wirtz excelled in attacking situations, creating nine chances from open play—the highest tally by any player in a Premier League game in the last six seasons. The last to achieve the same was Sadio Mane for Liverpool against Burnley in January 2021. Wirtz also became the first player in over 15 years to create that many chances in an away game, surpassing a record set by Samir Nasri in August 2011.

This season, no other player has created more chances in the Premier League than Wirtz, who is tied with Brighton’s Pascal Gross at 18. He was instrumental in initiating Liverpool’s comeback against Brentford and has contributed assists in consecutive games for the first time, although this was only his second goal involvement in seven league matches this term.

In statistical highlights, Wirtz led the match with 12 entries into the final third and completed 37 passes in that area, though he struggled with possession, losing the ball 19 times—second worst on the team after Milos Kerkez. He also won only one of his nine duels. Analyst Danny Murphy criticized the team's shape, suggesting a need for a more solid midfield rather than relying on Wirtz’s position as a number 10.

The victory elevated Liverpool to fifth in the Premier League standings, marking three wins in their first seven matches under Iraola, who took over from Arne Slot this summer. This win also ended a 19-game winless away streak when conceding first, dating back to December 2023.

Iraola is now facing additional challenges as key players Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong were injured in the match, though striker Alexander Isak made his return. After the game, Iraola acknowledged the difficulties brought on by a packed schedule, emphasizing the importance of managing player fitness ahead of an upcoming Champions League match against Villarreal.