Richard Keys’ recent theory about Liverpool’s new signing Florian Wirtz might have been confirmed in the latest match involving the reigning Premier League champions.
In the first of two Merseyside derby league games, Liverpool maintained their unbeaten streak this season by defeating rivals Everton 2-1, thanks to first-half goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike. This was the first match this season where Arne Slot’s team didn’t rely on a late winner, although Liverpool did face some challenges in the second half.
Everton grew stronger after the break, with Idrissa Gana Gueye scoring to give them hope of snatching a result at Anfield. Despite a worrisome second-half performance, Liverpool managed to hold on and secure all three points.
Before kickoff, much discussion surrounded Florian Wirtz, who joined Liverpool for a then-British record transfer fee but did not start the match. The German entered the game off the bench shortly after the hour mark, replacing Cody Gakpo.
Even with around 30 minutes to influence the game, Wirtz once again struggled to make an impact. His display seemed to reinforce a recent opinion about the German international.
Richard Keys, speaking on beIN SPORTS before the match, commented on Wirtz’s omission from the starting lineup:
“Does this suggest Wirtz lacks the necessary qualities for the fast-paced Premier League when it really counts? Could it be because he was largely ineffective and barely touched the ball against Arsenal, and this game would be similar?”
While the Bundesliga is one of the most physically demanding leagues after the Premier League, the English top flight remains particularly tough. Players coming from abroad often need time to adjust.
Wirtz’s hefty transfer fee adds extra pressure for him to adapt quickly. Unfortunately, his brief appearance against Everton mirrored his performances so far this season.
Coming on when Liverpool needed to maintain control after conceding a goal, Wirtz failed to impress. According to SofaScore, he lost all six duels he contested, didn’t manage a single shot on goal, couldn’t beat any opponents one-on-one, and made just one key pass in roughly 30 minutes.
As a young player still adapting to a new league, Wirtz needs time to reach his potential. However, the amount Liverpool spent on him means expectations are higher, and patience may be in shorter supply than for others.
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