Archive December 27, 2025

Florian Wirtz slotted past Jose Sa just before Ryan Gravenberch’s opener to make it 2-0.

Anfield did more than just cheer as the German midfielder wheeled away to celebrate his first Liverpool goal.

Wirtz had finally broken his duck.

Although he signed for Liverpool in a deal worth £116 million 190 days ago, this felt like a real moment of arrival. A player who is finally settling into life on Merseyside had both relief and joy to cheer on.

His goal at Anfield on Saturday came just before the end of a half for Alexander Isak, who had previously had an incredible assist at Tottenham last week, where he was a class above the rest. There was abundant creativity on display.

On Final Score, ex-Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock remarked, “Wirtz is the best player by a country mile on the pitch. He is the most ingenious and willing to take risks.”

Ellen White, a former England international, continued, “There is no denying Florian Wirtz’s quality.” He can use both feet because of the center of gravity and how he can assist.

Although Liverpool were battling to pass the visitors, Wirtz was gliding past the Wolves players like they were not.

If the French striker’s effort had gone in the direction of the post, Hugo Ekitike would have been a contender for the team’s assist of the season if he had earlier played it to him from the halfway line, which sent out four Wolves players.

On a day when Liverpool struggled to beat bottom side Wolves, Ekitike then turned provider as he found Wirtz for his goal.

We will be seeing a lot more of that connection in the coming months despite Isak’s eight weeks of absence with a broken leg.

Not everyone will see the pass, but I’m thankful he did and he gave me the opportunity, said Wirtz.

Manager Arne Slot discussed how Wirtz and Ekiti bulk up in order to succeed in the Premier League, with the German starting a weight-gain program that emphasizes muscle development, durability, and recovery recovery.

Although Wirtz and his captain Virgil van Dijk insisted that there is still work to be done, the effects are beginning to be felt.

He is getting used to the intensity and our playing more. Van Dijk said, “He’s very important on the ball, and there’s no denying that.”

Wirtz stated to Final Score, “I know it’s the hardest league in the world, and I just have to get used to the physicality and the midfielders around me.”

“Every game makes me feel a little better, and I want to keep feeling that way.”

That will be a fitting Christmas present for Liverpool fans and musical accompaniment. With his 21st shot in the Premier League, they have been waiting for him to score, but Wirtz is only just beginning.

“The team has already seen what he brings,” he said, noting how many chances and close attempts to score he created. Even if he doesn’t realize it, everyone in the world of football is aware of what has been said about him, according to Slot, according to Sky Sports.

He will continue to score more goals than just this one. Florian, he continued, “I believe he accomplished more than just the goal today.”

In the final fifteen minutes of a grueling Emirates Stadium, Brighton substitute Yankuba Minteh’s brilliant curling strike from the edge of the box appeared to be headed in the top corner. The Gunners still held on for a slender 2-1 lead.

David Raya, step forward.

The Spain international managed to tip the ball over the bar with such incredible athleticism to stop Brighton from regaining their two goals at level.

Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, told Sky Sports, “It was sensational.” I “had a great perspective” on it.

We need those performances in the crucial moments, according to the statement “that’s what we need from players.”

The save, according to former England captain Alan Shearer, was described as “one of the best you’ll see all season.”

On BBC Radio 5 Live, ex-Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Reid continued, “You see all the Arsenal players would have gone straight to Raya to thank him for it because it was a big save at such a crucial moment of the game.

Arsenal had dominated the first half, allowing Brighton 15 shots and dominating the second half.

With the number of chances that the Gunners created, Arteta claimed that the “margin should have been much bigger” and that it should never be 2-1.

Shearer added that “That turned out to be a lot more challenging for Arsenal than it should have been.”

Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard, who both caused a lot of damage in the first half, were a big success behind both Brighton wing-backs.

The Gunners’ squad has been put to the test since the first game of the campaign, with forward Kai Havertz missing with a knee injury, despite dominating play, missing chances, and dealing with injuries to key players.

Due to the absence of Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori in the warm-up on Saturday, left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly stepped up quickly to the starting lineup.

Following his injury layoff, center-back Gabriel made a second-half substitution.

Arteta claimed that his team has been “surviving” the difficulties that have plagued them for six months and that key player injuries are “uniting” the group.

He said, “At the moment, we survived six months, so let’s see, there are still five and a half months left,” “hopefully things will improve.”

“Gabriel arrived sooner than expected, which is great,” said Gabi.

Manchester City have played before Arsenal twice in a row, and the Gunners have to respond.

Arteta claims that his team is looking forward to the challenge presented by their first-ever Premier League victory since 2004.