German media outlets have shared their reactions to Florian Wirtz’s impressive display in Liverpool’s 5–1 comeback win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday night. It was the 22-year-old’s first club match back in Germany since sealing his £116 million transfer from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
Liverpool ended a dreadful run of four straight defeats—their worst since 2014—with five different scorers: Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Cody Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai. The emphatic win appeared to restore Arne Slot’s side’s confidence after a turbulent few weeks.
Despite a record-breaking summer spending spree, Liverpool have yet to consistently dominate teams, and both Alexander Isak and Wirtz have needed time to adapt. But on Wednesday, Wirtz looked far more settled, earning high praise from the German press for a performance that hinted he’s finally finding his rhythm.
Deployed on the right out of possession and drifting centrally with the ball, Wirtz controlled Liverpool’s attacking flow, registering two assists, creating four chances, and completing all his long passes with an 89% overall accuracy. German Football News rated him 8/10 and named him Man of the Match, writing:
> “Familiar surroundings seemed to spark his confidence. Wirtz had struggled early in his Liverpool career, but everything clicked tonight against Frankfurt. Two assists, four chances created—this should be a turning point for him.”
BILD also lauded his display:
> “His return to German soil was eagerly anticipated—and he didn’t disappoint. After a quiet first half, he showed exactly why Liverpool paid over €100 million for him.”
Kicker focused on Liverpool’s dominance and Wirtz’s pivotal role:
> “His start at Anfield has been mixed, but in Frankfurt he showed his worth—setting up two goals and helping his team rediscover their rhythm.”
Wirtz’s return to form mirrors his Leverkusen peak, when he lifted the performances of everyone around him. If he builds on this, Liverpool could soon see the best version of their record signing.
Next up, the Reds travel to London to face Brentford on Saturday, and after Wirtz’s showing in Frankfurt, Arne Slot faces a welcome selection dilemma—especially with Mohamed Salah benched for a second consecutive European game and voicing his frustrations online afterward.
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