Michael Owen says why ‘unselfish’ Florian Wirtz was actually key to Liverpool’s win at Bournemouth

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Listening to Jamie Carragher talk about Florian Wirtz after Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Sunday, and you’d think that the German had delivered an all-time low of a performance.Carragher slammed Wirtz during the game, and explained why after the full-time whistle, declaring that the Reds No. 7 is no longer deserving of his place in Andoni Iraola’s starting XI.However, Carragher’s former Liverpool teammate Michael Owen appears to disagree, and claimed that without Wirtz‘s ‘unselfish’ movement in the build-up to Alexander Isak’s winning goal, the Reds would have left the South Coast with one point instead of all three.

Alexander Isak's goal was decisive, earning Iraola a huge three points on his Vitality return 💪 Owen hails Wirtz’s movement to help Liverpool scoreOften when people have criticised Wirtz’s performances for Liverpool, they have done so by citing his lack of tangible contribution in terms of goals and assists.While it is true that the 23-year-old needs to improve dramatically in both metrics, this discourse also completely ignores the hard work he does off the ball to make Liverpool a better team.That was on display against Bournemouth, and although he certainly did not have his best game, Owen pointed out that Isak’s goal absolutely does not happen without Wirtz.“He [Isak] made it look easy,” the former Reds striker told Premier League Productions after the game. “If you aim for the near post in that situation it sometimes can pop up a little bit, but when you actually sweep it, almost get your knee over it, you can sort of even miskick it, not that he did, but it’s just an easier finish when it bounces.”READ MORE: Jamie Carragher suggests Liverpool’s owners may not be happy with one of Andoni Iraola’s big early decisions“I really liked this, though,” Owen added.

If a striker doesn’t get across the near post, you never have this chance, somebody’s always got to get across. “A few of his goals have been one-touch finishes and that’s always a good sign, but in terms of the movement of the other players, you should always fill the three lanes: the front post, someone on the penalty spot and the back post, but it’s a really good finish.”By gambling and running towards the front post, Wirtz opened up the space for Isak, while also committing the defender, who inadvertently put the ball on a plate for the Liverpool striker.