Liverpool FC had a good day out in international action yesterday.
Top of mind for most LFC fans was Florian Wirtz, playing for Germany for the first time under former LFC manager Jürgen Klopp. Liverpool’s number 7 was awarded the captain’s armband, played the full game and played a big part in two goals. A feint inside the box led to a shot that struck the left post, and Tom Bischof converted the rebound in the first half. Just after the 60th minute, Wirtz controlled a pass into the area with his
heel, deceived the goalkeeper, and coolly slotted it into the bottom right corner for his own goal.
The playmaker registered 6 key passes (!), completed 74/79 passes (94%), won 2 of 3 dribbles, and won 3 duels in a performance that will boost the player’s confidence amid recent scrutiny. On the captaincy, and his performance, Wirtz had this to say:
“It’s something special. It wasn’t on my to-do list, but it makes you proud. I still tried to keep giving everything and make sure we saw the game out. We managed to do that.”
“The players around me made things a lot easier for me today. There was so much movement around me, and when I have that, it becomes much easier for me to shine.”
Klopp was effusive in his praise for the player:
“The way we want to play suits Florian Wirtz. I think everyone at Liverpool is very happy today. This lad is full of love for the game, and he has given everything he has.”
“It’s not about Liverpool playing the wrong way and therefore Flo not being able to make it work there or anything like that. Everything is absolutely fine.”
“I don’t really know how much Flo has to get right before everyone is finally happy!”
“But I think everyone in Liverpool will be very, very happy with his performance today.”
“I don’t think so many English Liverpool fans have ever watched a Germany international before! They’ll have really enjoyed it. They saw a young lad who was full of joy out there and who worked incredibly hard.”
“He played a brilliant game, just like everyone else, and of course that helps everyone.”
Elsewhere in UEFA Nations League action, Greece hosted the Netherlands. Kostas Tsimikas and Virgil van Dijk both started the game, while Ryan Gravenberch was introduced at half-time and Jeremie Frimpong remained on the bench.
The Greeks were up 2-0 by half-time, but captain Virgil would spark the eventual 2-2 comeback with a typical header from a corner at the 59th minute mark.
In Cardiff, Lewis Koumas led the line for Wales, as the hosts beat Norway 2-1 with ten men.
Last but not least, Academy midfielder Erik Farkas started and played an hour in England U18S’ 2-1 win over South Korea at the UEFA Friendship Cup.
