Liverpool are off and running in the 2025/26 Premier League season after an entertaining win over Bournemouth on Friday night.

The Reds did not make life easy for themselves on an emotional night which saw Anfield pay its respects to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva.

Despite this being the first game of what will be a long campaign, Liverpool looked tired and lethargic as they surrendered a two goal lead to the Cherries.

They deserve credit for coming back and scoring two late goals, but there were some concerning signs for Arne Slot throughout the 90 minutes.

Arne Slot gives frank assessment of Liverpool’s readiness to defend Premier League title	Arne Slot shares what he thinks Florian Wirtz's 'biggest strength' is ahead of his Premier League debut	Arne Slot gives £116million signing Florian Wirtz one piece of advice on how he can reach the level of Liverpool great Mohamed Salah ahead of the German's Premier League debut

One of those perhaps came from a quiet Premier League debut for new record signing Florian Wirtz.

Wirtz has lit up pre-season for Liverpool, bringing his special brand of awareness, vision and creativity to the Reds.

But I think he’s the obvious one who is looking and searching to figure out what he should be doing.”

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“Really what he should be doing is getting the ball in the final third,” Nicol added.

But he doesn’t seem to be getting it in the final third and when he’s coming short he’s not doing enough with it.

He’s just got to get in the right position, with the right balls and he then has to play the right passes.”

Although Nicol is not necessarily wrong in his assessment of Wirtz, he does also offer some explanation for why things may have been tricky.

Chances CreatedAccurate PassesTouchesPasses into final thirdTackles WonFlorian Wirtz vs Bournemouth338/51 (75%)73122/2

According to the pundit, the absence of Ryan Gravenberch from the Liverpool midfield meant the Reds – and Wirtz – looked less solid in the middle of the pitch.

“Wirtz being one of the three in the middle with no Gravenberch, that’s a clear problem,” said Nicol.

“But without Gravenberch and then Wirtz being one of those three, he gives you nothing defensively.

That’s not why he’s there, but if you’re going to play him in that three you’re going to have to have somebody who’s really solid, who’s going to be in front of that back line and who’s going to stop the second goal from Semenyo.”

Having signed for a British record transfer fee, it perhaps was an underwhelming entrance for Wirtz.