Wirtz delivers but remains Liverpool's conundrum

Florian Wirtz was a key player as Liverpool bounced back from their first league defeat of the season against Brentford, scoring twice in the second half to secure a win. The 23-year-old German playmaker has been criticized for failing to replicate the form that led Liverpool to sign him for a club-record £116 million in June 2025.

Former captain Steven Gerrard even suggested that Wirtz might benefit from being taken out of the team to overcome perceived confidence issues. However, Wirtz's performance in the match demonstrated his importance to the team, as he created more chances from open play than any other player in the Premier League over the past six seasons.

Despite his efforts, the dynamic of the team remains a concern for some, with BBC Sport pundit Danny Murphy suggesting that the midfield featuring Wirtz as the number 10 makes Liverpool too easy to play against. The impact of Wirtz's playing style on the team's overall performance is still a conundrum for Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola.