Slot praises ‘special’ display from Florian Wirtz

Arne Slot hailed a “special” performance from Florian Wirtz after he scored his first Premier League goal in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Wolves.

Victory over the Premier League’s bottom club, who remain without a league win this season, was not as straightforward as many would have assumed.

Ryan Gravenberch broke the deadlock in the 41st minute, with Wirtz’s long-awaited first in the league following in short order.

Yet Santiago Bueno pulled one back for Wolves, who had the better opportunities to score the game’s fourth goal as Liverpool held on for an unconvincing victory to send the Reds into the top four.

Still, it was a day to remember for Wirtz, who signed for £100million in the summer but has been the subject of scrutiny because of his lack of goal involvements.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Slot was full of praise for Wirtz and his all-round impact, indicating the disappointing numbers have not been reflective of his influence.

“It’s nice for him to score his first goal,” Slot said.

“He’s been very important for us throughout the season. But in football it is about results, you are mainly judged on results or on goals and assists. I think today he showed much more than just the goal he scored; he was special for us in many parts of the game.”

Wolves’ goal was the product of a familiar problem for Liverpool, who allowed Bueno to turn into an empty net after the hosts failed to clear a corner.

“For a long time, until 2-1, it was the way I wanted the game to go,” Slot explained.

“But then we conceded, and not for the first from a set-piece. But the positive thing about all of this is for large parts of the season when we have conceded a set-piece we have lost the game, but in the last two games we have been able to win.

“We also understand we have to improve in that part, that’s clear and obvious.”