Liverpool secured a vital 1–0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night, keeping themselves within reach of the top clubs in Europe. Despite a recent dip in form, Arne Slot’s side delivered a gritty performance at Anfield against a Madrid team that had been in sensational form, having already beaten Juventus, Barcelona, and Valencia in the weeks prior.
The Reds may not have dominated possession, but they showed resilience and tactical discipline. They created several key chances while restricting Real Madrid to very little going forward. Their persistence eventually paid off when Dominik Szoboszlai set up Alexis Mac Allister for the decisive goal just after the hour mark, breaking through Thibaut Courtois’s stubborn defense.
After the match, Szoboszlai was quick to highlight the performance of one of his teammates — Florian Wirtz. The Hungarian midfielder couldn’t hide his admiration for the young German, who impressed with his relentless energy and technical brilliance throughout the game. “I have to mention Flo,” Szoboszlai told CBS Golazo. “He just kept running, recovering the ball, helping in defense, creating chances, and even gave me an almost assist. So, sorry from here as well.”
It was high praise, and rightly so. Wirtz was everywhere on the pitch, combining work rate with creativity. In his 88 minutes on the field, he made five key passes, created a big chance, and maintained an 86% pass accuracy. He completed both of his dribble attempts, won four ground duels, and also made several crucial defensive contributions — including six recoveries, one tackle, and an interception.
His link-up play, particularly with Hugo Ekitiké, stood out as one of Liverpool’s main attacking strengths. The pair caused Madrid’s backline constant problems with their quick exchanges and movement in the final third. It was the kind of all-round performance that Liverpool fans had been waiting to see from Wirtz since his big-money move.
Signed from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer for a staggering €125 million, the 22-year-old German has faced intense scrutiny since arriving at Anfield. He has yet to score for the Reds but has contributed with three assists in his first 15 matches — and his latest showing against Madrid hinted that he’s beginning to find his rhythm.
For much of the season, Wirtz has been adjusting to the speed and physicality of English football. However, his display against one of Europe’s toughest opponents was a statement that he’s ready to take the next step. The energy, creativity, and intelligence he brought to Liverpool’s midfield marked a clear turning point in his adaptation.
This might just be the breakthrough performance Wirtz needed. With his confidence growing and his teammates — like Szoboszlai — recognizing his influence, the German playmaker could soon become one of Liverpool’s key players as they push for silverware on all fronts.
