Florian Wirtz joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen on 1 July 2025 for a reported fee of £100-107 million (€117.5-125 million). The transfer made him Liverpool’s record signing and one of the most expensive deals in football history.
The move brought high expectations, and Wirtz faced heavy criticism during his early spell at the club. He failed to register a goal or assist in his first 11 Premier League appearances, leading to questions about his adaptation to English football. However, his recent performances suggest a clear response to those doubts.
As of 13 January 2026, the 22-year-old has recorded five goal contributions in Liverpool’s last six matches, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists. His growing influence on the pitch reflects improved confidence, sharper decision-making, and a stronger understanding of Liverpool’s attacking system.
Through this blog on odds96, below is a detailed breakdown of Wirtz’s statistics, performance trends, and how his recent form has addressed the criticism he received earlier in the season.
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Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Liverpool (Premier League, December 20, 2025)
Liverpool won 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Wirtz provided one assist. In the 56th minute, Wirtz played a pass to Alexander Isak, who scored from inside the penalty area to give Liverpool a 1-0 lead. Isak was injured during the goal and substituted shortly after.
Liverpool 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Premier League, December 27, 2025)
Liverpool won 2-1 at Anfield, Wirtz scored one goal. In the 42nd minute, Wirtz poked the ball beyond goalkeeper Jose Sa from close range following a defensive error by Wolves, making the score 2-0. This came 89 seconds after Ryan Gravenberch’s opening goal in the 41st minute. Santiago Bueno scored for Wolves in the 51st minute.
Liverpool 0-0 Leeds United (Premier League, January 1, 2026)
The match ended 0-0 at Anfield. Wirtz had no goal contributions. He played for 66 minutes and received a 6.7 rating.
Fulham 2-2 Liverpool (Premier League, January 4, 2026)
The match ended 2-2 at Craven Cottage. Wirtz scored one goal. In the 57th minute, Wirtz finished from Conor Bradley’s cross to equalise at 1-1 after Harry Wilson’s 19th-minute opener for Fulham. Cody Gakpo scored for Liverpool in the 94th minute, but Harrison Reed equalised in the 97th minute.
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Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool (Premier League, January 8, 2026)
The match ended 0-0 at Emirates Stadium. Wirtz had no goal contributions.
Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley (FA Cup Third Round, January 12, 2026)
Liverpool won 4-1 at Anfield. Wirtz scored one goal and provided one assist. He entered as a substitute in the 70th minute. In the 84th minute, Wirtz scored from Hugo Ekitike’s back-heel assist to make it 3-1. In the 94th minute, Wirtz assisted Ekitike’s goal from close range, making it 4-1. Earlier goals were scored by Dominik Szoboszlai (9th minute) and Jeremie Frimpong (36th minute) for Liverpool, with Adam Phillips scoring for Barnsley in the 40th minute.
Overall Performance Analysis
Wirtz began the season at a slow pace, failing to record a goal or an assist in his first 11 Premier League appearances. Despite the lack of direct goal contributions, his underlying numbers remained encouraging. He ranked 4th among Premier League midfielders for key passes per 90 minutes and placed in the top 10% for progressive carries, showing his influence in build-up play and chance creation.
Since mid-December 2025, Wirtz’s performances have improved noticeably. He has contributed directly in 4 of his last 6 matches, with his technical qualities coming to the fore. His first touch, vision, and dribbling have helped him average 6.4 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes in the league.
At 22 years old, Wirtz has shown strong resilience and consistency in involvement. He has recorded 156 progressive actions in the Premier League, placing him within the top 5% of players. However, there remain areas for improvement, particularly in shot efficiency, with 32.1% of his attempts hitting the target, and in defensive output, where he averages 0.3 aerial duels won per game.
Liverpool currently sits 4th in the Premier League, and Wirtz’s upturn in form has aligned with important results, including league victories over Tottenham and Wolves.
Silencing the Critics
Wirtz’s £100m+ transfer fee invited scrutiny, with critics labelling him a “flop” early on due to zero league goals or assists by November 2025. Pundits like Gary Neville called him a “little boy” after a 3-0 loss to Manchester City, questioning his physicality and value. Wayne Rooney noted he “damages the balance” of the team, while others highlighted the Premier League’s demands.
However, Wirtz has responded on the pitch. His December-January contributions with 3 goals, 2 assists have shifted narratives, with German media declaring the “curse over” after assists in Champions League games. Supporters and analysts now praise his adaptation, with Benedikt Howedes stating he is “too good to fail” and needs time to build trust.
Wirtz himself remains calm, ignoring rival-linked criticism and focusing on training. His father highlighted underrated stats like game engagement, while teammates like Nick Woltemade called the debate “absurd.” Recent performances, including the Barnsley brace of goals and assist, demonstrate his ability to deliver under pressure, proving doubters wrong as Liverpool pushes for trophies.
FAQs
1. How many goal contributions has Florian Wirtz recorded recently?
As of 13 January 2026, Florian Wirtz has recorded five goal contributions in his last six matches for Liverpool, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
2. Why was Florian Wirtz criticised earlier in the season?
Wirtz faced criticism because he failed to score or assist in his first 11 Premier League appearances. His £100m+ transfer fee increased expectations and scrutiny over his adaptation to English football.
3. Which matches did Wirtz contribute goals or assists in?
Wirtz contributed against Tottenham, Wolves, Fulham, and Barnsley, delivering goals and assists across Premier League and FA Cup fixtures.
4. How has Wirtz improved since mid-December 2025?
Since mid-December, Wirtz has shown better decision-making, sharper movement, and greater confidence. His technical quality has led to higher involvement in chance creation and attacking phases.
5. What do Wirtz’s underlying statistics show?
Despite a slow start, Wirtz ranks fourth among Premier League midfielders for key passes per 90 minutes and sits in the top 10% for progressive carries, highlighting his influence beyond goals and assists.
