In Matchweek 18 of the Premier League, Liverpool claimed a 2-1 home win over Wolves. Wirtz, who scored his first goal for Liverpool in this match, was named the Man of the Match.
On Wirtz's Performance
Liverpool fans who successfully navigated the long queues and new security checks at Anfield to enter the stands could see a creative midfielder controlling the game rhythm for his new club as soon as they walked through the stadium's circular corridor.
From the big screen, they learned that Cherki, who joined Manchester City for £34 million, is in sensational form now. After a period of adaptation and injury troubles, he has shown amazing strength, helping City secure an eight-game winning streak.
Therefore, Liverpool fans may wonder: when will their own new signing, the £116 million attacker Wirtz, start proving himself with goals or assists? In the match against Wolves, Wirtz gave a response—whatever Cherki can do, he can do too.
Who is better? It's too early to discuss this question during their first Christmas in the Premier League (please ask again in 12 months), but one thing is certain: the Premier League has ushered in two emerging magicians who can lead the future development of their respective teams.
Wirtz scored his first goal for Liverpool in his 23rd appearance for the club and began to control the game in the manner that Liverpool scouts observed hundreds of times when he was at Bayer Leverkusen. The 22-year-old German player has participated in a special muscle-building program to adapt to the intensity of English football, gaining approximately 2kg in weight. His hard work on physical training in the gym has finally paid off; in this game, his thinking speed seemed two to three steps faster than other players on the field.
He nimbly dribbled past defenders, delivered exquisite passes that cut through the defense, and finally proved he knew where the goal was with a clever run and a neat finish. He not only possesses the off-the-ball movement efficiency typical of German players but also has Spanish-style delicate touch and creative vision.
Of course, there is a strong counterargument in any discussion about Wirtz or any Liverpool player. Some will say: "Mate, the opponent was just Wolves." Although Edwards' team fought back hard in the second half, their overall performance was indeed poor. However, you can only beat the opponent in front of you, and Wirtz has finally started to show his potential to lead the next generation of great creators in English football—a land that has always been rich in producing such talents.
Yet, for a £116 million price tag, a single goal against Wolves is far from enough to establish his status.
But Liverpool's Problems Remain
Just like in the match against Tottenham last week, when they faced ten and even nine men, Liverpool fell into anxiety again. The players' performance seemed to be questioning: "Step up, why not attack again?" They won both games 2-1, but both victories felt lucky. If Tottenham hadn't received two red cards, or if Wolves weren't one of the worst teams in recent years, both games could have ended in an embarrassing 2-2 draw.
Most football discussions are influenced by the final result, so Liverpool fans will end 2025 with the joy of a four-game winning streak. But it must be pointed out: Liverpool's performance is still not good enough, and Slot knows it well. Conceding 12 goals from set pieces is the worst in the league, and this problem must be solved as soon as possible—especially since their next opponent is Leeds United, who are good at aerial balls. Arsenal fans will sing "Set pieces again, hullabaloo hullabaloo", and perhaps the Kop should start chanting "Set pieces again, oh no, oh no".
Did Chiesa Seize His Chance?
This was Chiesa's first Premier League start in a crucial game—his only previous league start was in the insignificant match against Brighton after winning the title last season. Did his performance live up to all the hype around him? The answer is no, and perhaps the super fans who had fanatical expectations for this rarely-seen Italian player will now tone down their voices slightly. But did he prove he deserves more playing opportunities? The answer is yes.
Similarly, Frimpong's performance on the right flank was also impressive.
