Steven Gerrard has drawn a glowing comparison between Florian Wirtz and a Real Madrid icon, likening the German’s elegant form to the Spanish giants greatest maestros.
While Liverpool’s narrow 1-0 victory over Sunderland was clinched by a Virgil van Dijk header. Still, it was the German play maker performance that was the main talking point.
When Florian Wirtz first arrived at Anfield for a staggering £116m, the weight of expectation seemed too much for the young playmaker. He famously failed to find the net in his first 20 appearances, leading many to fear he would become the most expensive “flop” in British history.
However, the tide has turned dramatically in 2026. Wirtz has transformed from a tentative newcomer into the “heartbeat” of Liverpool’s midfield.
As the rain lashed down at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday, those early struggles felt like ancient history. In a season where Liverpool have often ground out results, Wirtz provided the grace. Both fans and pundits now point to the German’s form when they highlight technical prowess and leadership reminiscent of Steven Gerrard.
He didn’t just help the Reds to a 1-0 win over Sunderland; he conducted a masterclass that offered a glimpse into the club’s tactical future. The 22-year-old didn’t just occupy the No. 7 shirt. Instead, he redefined it.
While Liverpool have seen their fair share of maestros in the middle of the park, Wirtz operated with a distinct flair. On a slick surface that threatened to make a mockery of the most expensive boots, the German moved with weightless poise.
Consequently, in this modern, data-driven age of football, analysts often tell us to trust the numbers. They use metrics like expected goals and passing percentages to separate the elite from the merely good. Nevertheless, Gerrard serves as a reminder that raw talent and instinct count for much more than a spreadsheet.
The January turning tide
The transformation hasn’t been accidental. To understand the weight of his performance in the North East, you have to look back at the bruising months that preceded it. Wirtz’s January was nothing short of a whirlwind. He appeared in all nine of Liverpool’s fixtures and racked up five goals and two assists.
It was a month of such sustained brilliance that he was the only logical choice for the Standard Chartered Player of the Month award . This accolade felt less like a trophy and more like a coronation for the new focal point of Arne Slot’s attack.
Almost Zidane-like”
The Stadium of Light has seen some world-class players over the years, but Wirtz produced a moment in the first half that justified every penny of his record fee.
Cody Gakpo fizzed a sharp pass toward the playmaker. On a slick, wet pitch where most would struggle to keep their footing, Wirtz pulled off something special. With a “velvet touch,” he guided the ball away from his defender in one fluid motion. This created a shooting lane out of thin air.
He unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that rattled the base of the post, leaving the woodwork vibrating. Ultimately, moments like these have led many to see the influence of Gerrard at Anfield still looming large.
Watching from the TNT Sports gantry, former Liverpool captain and legend Steven Gerrard the ultimate barometer for excellence at Anfield could barely contain his awe.
“He’s been Liverpool’s best player,” Gerrard raved. “He looks like he’ll be the one to open the door. This is where he’s brilliant—the touch is almost Zidane-like. He takes it away from the defender so they don’t have time to react. He doesn’t need to come deep; he allows Gravenberch and Mac Allister to penetrate centrally. Feed Wirtz, keep feeding him and he’ll find the areas.”
The tactical “door opener”
Gerrard’s comparison to the German maestro is the ultimate compliment, describing a player who plays the game at his own pace. What makes Wirtz so dangerous is how he makes life easier for his teammates. By staying high up the pitch and occupying the defenders, he creates the space that Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister need to dominate the middle of the park.
For Liverpool fans, seeing Wirtz settle in at last after a difficult start to life on Merseyside it is a terrifying prospect for the rest of the Premier League. If he keeps “opening the door” like this, it won’t be long before those shots off the post start turning into match-winning goals.
Slot’s verdict: a generational talent
While Gerrard focused on the artistry, Arne Slot’s post-match comments reflected a manager who knows he has a talent on the verge of an explosion. Slot attributed this to Wirtz’s own work ethic and “extra hours in the gym” to handle the Premier League’s physicality.
“Not for the first time, he was really good,” Slot noted in his post-match press conference. “But recently when he was really good, he was also involved in goals and assists. I think today he was very close and maybe should have been on the scoreboard with the amount of quality he has.”
The post might have denied him the goal his brilliance deserved on Wednesday night, but both his manager and the club’s greatest-ever midfielder are in agreement: Florian Wirtz is operating on a level few in world football can match.
