Liverpool manager Arne Slot has urged his club-record signing, Florian Wirtz, to build on his first Premier League goal, insisting the German midfielder is only getting started at Anfield. Wirtz ended a prolonged goal drought by netting in Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, December 27, 2025, providing a major boost for the high-profile summer acquisition.
A Long-Awaited Moment for the Big-Money Signing
The 22-year-old German international, who joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in June 2025 for a reported initial fee of £100 million (approximately $135 million), had failed to find the net in over 20 appearances for the Reds. His moment finally arrived in the 42nd minute at Anfield, when he latched onto a through ball from Hugo Ekitike and calmly poked it past Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa to make it 2-0.
"I was confident that I would score one day," Wirtz said after the match. "I just knew that it would come, and I try to keep going like that." The relief was palpable, not just for the player but also for his teammates and the fans, who have been eagerly awaiting a return on the massive investment.
Slot Defends Wirtz's Overall Contribution
Manager Arne Slot, however, has consistently defended Wirtz's performances, arguing that an obsession with statistics overlooks his broader contribution to the team. "I'm quite sure it was a relief for him. This I could see after his reaction after he scored the goal – and the same I saw with his teammates. I think they were really happy for him," Slot told reporters in the post-match press conference.
He further elaborated on the pressure that comes with a big price tag. "In football – rightly so, maybe – we mainly get judged on results, and individuals mainly get judged on goals and assists. Sometimes we tend to forget what else there is to do during a game." Slot emphasized that Wirtz has had multiple good games and is visibly improving with each outing.
The Path Forward: Keep Going
While celebrating the breakthrough, the Dutch manager was quick to set the standard for what comes next. He called on Wirtz to use this goal as a springboard for more consistent end-product. "He's had multiple good games for us, but I also feel he gets better and better every single game he is playing for us. He gets fitter and fitter and was getting closer and closer to his first goal," Slot added.
"Then it was not a surprise to me that he scored one today, but he would probably be the first one to understand that one goal is not enough." The message is clear: the £100 million man must now justify his valuation with sustained performances. The deal for Wirtz also includes potential add-ons that could take the total transfer fee to £116 million.
The vital three points from the Wolves match propelled Liverpool into the Premier League's top four with 32 points. However, they remain a significant ten points behind league leaders Arsenal, who defeated Brighton. Liverpool's next challenge is a home fixture against 16th-placed Leeds United on New Year's Day, January 1, 2026, where all eyes will be on Florian Wirtz to see if he can truly kickstart his Anfield career.
