A roar for Wirtz

190 days of waiting, 21 shots, and a true roar from Anfield.

Florian Wirtz (left) has scored a goal in the Premier League.

Florian Wirtz not only scored his first goal for Liverpool, but he also marked the beginning of a quiet, persistent, and high-pressure adaptation journey—something the Premier League always demands of expensive stars.

Goals are not just for relieving stress.

There are goals that don't simply change the score. They change the atmosphere, the mentality, and how a player is perceived. Florian Wirtz's goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 18th round of the Premier League on December 27th falls into that category.

Just 89 seconds after Liverpool opened the scoring, Wirtz placed a neat shot over Jose Sa. A clean, cool, unpretentious move.

But Anfield was different. The stadium roared, not because of a beautiful goal, but because of relief. It was the collective sigh of relief of a team that had waited too long to see their "number 10" truly shine.

£116 million is a figure that doesn't allow for unlimited patience. However, the Premier League is not the Bundesliga. The space is tighter, there are more physical challenges, and the pace is more intense.

Wirtz isn't failing; he's just learning to survive. And this goal, from a fair perspective, is confirmation that this adaptation process is on the right track.

Wirtz scored in Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Wolves.

Against Wolves, Wirtz was the most creative player on the pitch. Seven successful dribbles, skillful touches in tight spaces, and through passes that put teammates in advantageous positions.

Had Hugo Ekitike not hit the post, Wirtz would have had an iconic assist. He played like a true maestro, even if it wasn't perfect.

The biggest difference between Wirtz at Leverkusen and Wirtz at Liverpool lies in his physical attributes. This isn't a criticism, but a fact. The Premier League doesn't favor technique if you lack stamina and the ability to withstand physical challenges.

That's why Arne Slot asked Wirtz to change. Increase muscle mass, improve endurance, and optimize recovery. That's not something stars like to hear, but it's something they have to do if they want to survive in the world's toughest league.

Wirtz understood that. He didn't resist, he didn't complain. With each game, the German midfielder became more resilient under pressure, held onto the ball longer, and took more risks. The goal against Wolves didn't come from a moment of improvisation, but was the result of a build-up of both physical and mental strength.

But the Premier League isn't easy either. After about 60 minutes, Wirtz started to tire. Captain Virgil van Dijk said frankly: that's something that needs improvement if they want to play a match every three days. That honesty is important because it puts Wirtz back in his place: a great talent, but still on the path to perfection.

Wirtz's goal against Wolves helped relieve the pressure.

Liverpool currently need Wirtz, not just because of his transfer value, but because of the structure of their playing style. With Alexander Isak sidelined by a long-term injury, the connection between Wirtz and Ekitike will become even more frequent. And that will be the next test for the German midfielder: maintaining his level of performance, not just having temporary bursts of brilliance.

The first roar and what awaits ahead.

Anfield has been patient. Liverpool fans understand that not every star explodes immediately. But they also need a signal. And Wirtz sent that signal in the most convincing way: scoring goals, playing creatively, and taking responsibility.

Slot was right: Wirtz delivered more than just a goal. He brought rhythm, ideas, and a difference-maker in moments when Liverpool were struggling. When opponents sit deep, players like Wirtz are key. Not with brute strength, but with imagination and precision.

The goal against Wolves may not have been the most explosive moment of the season. But it was a milestone. It was confirmation that Wirtz wasn't being swallowed up by the Premier League. On the contrary, he's learning to tame it.

The roar at Anfield that day wasn't the peak. It was the beginning. And with a player who is only 22 years old, given the trust and protected by the right amount of patience, Florian Wirtz can absolutely transform those scattered roars into a familiar sound every weekend.

Liverpool waited. Wirtz responded. The rest, as is often the case in the Premier League, will be decided by time and character.

Source: https://znews.vn/tieng-gam-danh-cho-wirtz-post1614705.html