Florian Wirtz goal produces telling reaction as suspicion grows over Liverpool star

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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCIan Doyle with the main talking point as Liverpool dug out a hard-earned Premier League victory over Wolves at Anfield on Saturday afternoonOn an afternoon of high emotion at Anfield, there was one overriding reaction to what ultimately transpired to be the game's decisive moment. But rather than joy, there was a tangible sense of relief when, after taking a touch to control an inviting throughball from Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz nudged the ball through Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa.On his 23rd appearance, Wirtz had finally notched a first Liverpool goal since arriving for £116million from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.Within seconds, the Germany international was mobbed by every single outfield Reds player as he celebrated at the corner between the Main Stand and the Anfield Road end.The home support, too, understood the significance of the strike, one that had been a long time coming for a player whose number of goal contributions hasn’t tallied with the increasing impact on Arne Slot’s evolving team, too often his efforts to tee up colleagues going unrewarded.There had already been an example of that in the opening exchanges here when a brilliant pass from Wirtz invited Ekitike to run at the Wolves defence before a shot that eventually struck the far post.Wirtz, though, has shown real resilience of late.

While playing off the left flank isn’t where Slot envisaged his big-money signing to be performing, it has allowed the 22-year-old a regular starting role and afforded him the opportunity to build confidence, relationships with team-mates and durability in the Premier League.Indeed, as the game’s stellar performer it was apt Wirtz proved the matchwinner, his goal coming barely 60 seconds after Ryan Gravenberch had converted Jeremie Frimpong’s pullback to break the resolve of a well-organised but limited visiting team.Ostensibly on the wing, that Wirtz’s two main moments came from a central area highlighted the free rein he has been given – certainly in an attacking sense – by Slot.And when Liverpool proceeded to make life difficult for themselves with the concession of yet another goal from a set-piece as Santiago Bueno prodded home after Alisson Becker had saved a header from Tolo Arokodare, Wirtz put in a real defensive shift, highlighted by racing back to make one clearance as the defence dithered. The standing ovation from the home faithful on his late substitution spoke volumes.Wirtz, then, ensured Liverpool ended a tumultuous year on a winning note.

Bring on the New Year.Ian DoyleIan Doyle has covered Liverpool for more than 25 years, following them across Europe in multiple Champions League and Europa League finals and as far afield as Thailand, Singapore, the United States, Hong Kong and Qatar, and has reported on the Reds winning every major honour. He previously also covered Everton for 18 years and has followed England, reporting on the European Championships and World Cup final.