Florian Wirtz Finds His Form as David Lynch Highlights Liverpool Star’s Progress
Florian Wirtz is beginning to deliver the attacking contributions Liverpool have been waiting for, with his goal and assist in the 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace providing further encouragement for Andoni Iraola.
Speaking to Dave Davis on Anfield Index’s Media Matters podcast, journalist David Lynch discussed the German international’s improving performances, his growing influence in front of goal and the areas where further development is still required.
For Lynch, the immediate objective is straightforward. Wirtz must maintain his recent productivity and build on the progress he has made.
Florian Wirtz’s Liverpool Numbers Show Encouraging Progress
Davis highlighted Wirtz’s contribution against Crystal Palace, pointing to his goal, assist, two successful dribbles from four attempts, five line breaking passes and seven ball recoveries.
The Liverpool midfielder also covered 12.4 kilometres, the highest distance recorded by any player on the pitch.
Davis emphasised the importance of Wirtz maintaining his recent attacking output.
“He’s getting assists. He’s getting, it’s just he’s playing a bit better overall but he’s making things happen.”
Lynch agreed, identifying a significant improvement from the performances that had previously attracted criticism.
“I think he is there now. I think it’s five goal contributions in his last eight and I think he only starts six of those.”
The journalist stressed the importance of sustaining those numbers.
“He is starting to add a bit of cutting edge to his game and he’s just got to keep that going now.”
David Lynch Explains Why Wirtz Must Keep Improving
Lynch recalled the concerns surrounding Wirtz during September and October, following a difficult first season at Liverpool.
“He was playing really poorly,” Lynch said, explaining why the initial priority was simply to recover his previous level of performance.
“His first step needs to be not to go to the world-class level we all hoped he would provide, but just be better than this.”
The journalist believes Wirtz has now reached that initial target, providing a platform for further improvement.
“He’s still going to have quieter games, games where he struggles but just kind of keep it going.”
Lynch also suggested that improved attacking returns could help Wirtz develop greater confidence.
“It also gives him a platform in terms of confidence to start getting to where we want him to get as well.”
Photo: IMAGO
Liverpool Star Still Has Technical Issues to Address
Despite the encouraging numbers against Crystal Palace, Lynch identified moments where Wirtz’s execution remained frustrating.
“There’s a couple of moments he puts the pass behind his man like yesterday. It’s so frustrating because, you know, some moments he looks technically excellent.”
He continued: “Some moments you just think, how are you playing a pass that poor?”
Davis echoed that observation, recalling an occasion when Wirtz produced an excellent touch before misplacing his pass to Cody Gakpo.
Lynch nevertheless remained optimistic about the German’s prospects.
“If he starts to add the goal contributions and as I say five in his last eight, that’s excellent.”
He also considered the longer-term implications of Wirtz maintaining his current trajectory.
“He’s going to end the season with some decent tallies in terms of that.”
For Liverpool and Andoni Iraola, the challenge is to ensure that Wirtz continues contributing goals and assists as the campaign progresses.
Lynch believes sustained improvement could eventually change perceptions of the midfielder’s Liverpool career.
“Then we’ll be starting to think, tell you what, it wasn’t a bad second season at all. Let’s see what he’s like in his third season.”
Following his goal and assist against Crystal Palace, Wirtz has provided further evidence of the progress Lynch discussed on Media Matters.
The message from the Anfield Index journalist was repeated throughout the conversation.
“Just keep going. Just keep going and keep going.”
