Florian Wirtz and Yan Diomande give Andoni Iraola very exciting Liverpool glimpse
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesFIFA World CupFlorian Wirtz and Yan Diomande showcased their creativity on the World Cup stage, supplying assists to strengthen their nations' hopes of reaching the knockoutsEAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 25: Leroy Sane of Germany celebrates his goal with Florian Wirtz of Germany and Felix Nmecha of Germany during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Ecuador and Germany at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 25, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)Florian Wirtz and Yan Diomande continued to impress on the international stage as both players registered assists in their final World Cup group games.Wirtz played a key role in Germany’s breakthrough goal with a moment of quick thinking and technical quality.
Replays suggested there may have been contact with the Ecuador midfielder’s head, prompting appeals from players and coaching staff.Despite the protests, VAR opted not to intervene and the referee allowed the goal to stand, a decision that sparked anger among the Ecuador camp as Germany took an early lead before Ecuador equalized seven minutes later.While Wirtz managed just three assists in 33 Premier League appearances during the 2025-26 campaign, he appears to have rediscovered his creative rhythm at the World Cup this summer.The 23-year-old has been deployed as a primary playmaker in Julian Nagelsmann’s midfield and has already registered two assists across the opening three group-stage matches, underlining his renewed influence in the final third.PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 25: Yan Diomande #11 of Cote d'Ivoire controls the ball against Jurien Gaari #3 of Curacao during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Curacao and Cote D'Ivoire at Philadelphia Stadium on June 25, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Liverpool target initially appeared to have been crowded out by two Curacao defenders, but their failure to clear the danger allowed him to regain possession inside the area.The 19-year-old then showed composure to square the ball for former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe, who converted with a first-time finish to cap off the move.Diomande’s assist saw the Ivory Coast international make World Cup history, becoming the first African teenager to provide a goal assist at the tournament since 1994.
The milestone adds to the growing excitement surrounding the 19-year-old, whose performances for club and country have attracted interest from several European heavyweights, including Liverpool, amid speculation over a potential big-money move.Liverpool.com says: Wirtz and Diomande have offered Andoni Iraola an exciting early glimpse of what could lie ahead at Liverpool. The duo have shown creativity and end product at the World Cup, combining for assists and influential attacking moments that highlight their potential fit in Iraola’s high-tempo, front-foot system.