Florian Wirtz training ground efforts pay off as Liverpool star makes timely return

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Ian Doyle with the talking points after Liverpool earned a controversial Premier League win at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday eveningArne Slot prefaced this game with the revelation Florian Wirtz has been spending time bulking up his physique to cope with the demands of the Premier League.Recent improved performances from the £116million man indicate the efforts are already bearing fruit, Wirtz becoming a more prominent proponent whether on the left or drifting into the centre of Liverpool’s attack.One early challenge here to help dispossess Lucas Bergvall was an example of how actions are now matching his intentions regards holding his own in the heat of battle.READ MORE: Arne Slot explains what FSG are thinking as Liverpool boss makes top four admissionREAD MORE: Arne Slot provides double Liverpool injury update and admits fears - 'A gut feeling'But bolstering the number of goal contributions is the ultimate aim for Wirtz, even if misfortune and the waywardness of team-mates have been as responsible as the player himself for the shortcoming.Wirtz was Liverpool’s most effective attacker even before Tottenham were reduced to 10 men, his speed of passing injecting much-needed pace into the forward efforts with the Germany international closest before the break when his shot was parried by home goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.Apt, then, that it was Wirtz who provided the assist for Alexander Isak’s opener after Cristian Romero had inadvertently blasted the ball against close friend Alexis Mac Allister.That Wirtz was cramping up during the elongated additional time period underlined how he’d done more than most to ensure this victory.Frimpong return timelyRecent events have brought into sharp focus the prospect of life without Mohamed Salah for Liverpool. But with the Egyptian now at the Africa Cup of Nations for the foreseeable future, this was the start of a period without the forward for which the Reds have long planned.The signing of Jeremie Frimpong during the summer was very much with the possibility of the Dutchman replacing Salah in mind.Two hamstring injuries meant Liverpool haven’t been able to properly assess that option.

So Frimpong’s impressive cameo from the bench – his first appearance in more than two months – was as timely as it was impactful.Introduced on the right wing as the Reds reshuffled again following Alexander Isak’s departure, Frimpong caught the eye with his pace and willingness to run at his marker and get the byline.That approach ultimately paid off with the deflected cross that provided Hugo Ekitike’s winner, with the Holland international now likely to start at home to Wolves at the weekend with Dominik Szoboszlai suspended after picking up a fifth Premier League booking of the campaign and doubts again over the fitness of Conor Bradley, who was forced off at half-time.After so long out, Liverpool will be mindful not to over-exert Frimpong. But with so few players available, Arne Slot may not have much choice.Momentum continuesWhen Liverpool were last in these parts almost exactly a year ago for Premier League combat, victory in a nine-goal thriller copper-bottomed their title claims.This latest visit, though, was instead about maintaining the momentum that has slowly been gathering during an unbeaten run that now stretches to six games.After such a traumatic run of previous results, this run has primarily been about chiselling out results regardless of style.

Pretty they may not have been of late, but the Reds have certainly been more effective.Indeed, this clash was more akin to their infamous September 2023 clash when the furore over Luis Diaz’s non-goal overshadowed how an unconvincing Tottenham eventually needed a last-gasp own goal to finally defeat an opponent reduced to nine men.While his side didn’t require such assistance going forward, Slot rightly later bemoaned the inability of his team to maintain possession during the frantic final 15 minutes having largely controlled matters before the introduction of chief wind-up merchant Richarlison.This team remains very much a work in progress. Nevertheless, Liverpool are now back within touching distance of the top four.