Wirtz on why victory is all that matters | OneFootball

Wirtz Keeps Perspective as Liverpool Navigate Turbulent Night at Spurs

Liverpool’s trip to north London was never likely to be straightforward, and by full-time it had become one of those fixtures that lingers in the memory for its disorder as much as its outcome. Yet amid the red cards, late pressure and shifting momentum, Florian Wirtz was unwavering in his assessment. Results, not narrative, were the priority.

“Three points are everything,” Wirtz said afterwards, reflecting on Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Spurs. “In the end we are happy that we won, and three points are everything that counted.”

That clarity of purpose echoed Liverpool’s broader approach under Arne Slot. The performance was imperfect, at times stretched, but it delivered what mattered most in the Premier League context: another away victory and further evidence of a side learning how to manage volatile situations.

20th December 2025 Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England Premier League Football, Tottenham Hotspur versus Liverpool Florian Wirtz of Liverpool challenged by Mohammed Kudus of Tottenham Hotspur PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK JohnxPatrickxFletcher

Wirtz Influence Grows Amid Disorder

This was a contest that threatened to spiral. Spurs were reduced to ten men early, Liverpool seized control after the break, then found themselves defending their lead amid renewed home pressure. Throughout, Wirtz operated as a stabilising presence.

Asked whether it felt like a chaotic match, his response was immediate. “That’s true!” he said. “But we are happy in the end that we won.”

Wirtz’s contribution went beyond composure. He registered his first Premier League assist of the season, supplying the pass that helped tilt the match decisively in Liverpool’s favour. It was a moment that underlined his growing authority in tight spaces and his understanding of when to accelerate play.

“That was also nice,” he admitted. “I think until minute 70 we made a very good game.”

The German was quick, however, to identify where Liverpool could improve, particularly in the opening half when Spurs found joy on the counter. “In the first half we had a few counter-attacks against us, which we can do better from defensively,” he said.

Liverpool Game Management Shows Progress

Liverpool’s control after the interval was more convincing. The opening goal changed the rhythm, the second provided breathing space, and for a period the visitors appeared capable of seeing the contest out without undue drama.

“All in all, for 70 minutes it was a very good game from us,” Wirtz explained. “They got a set-piece and we conceded a goal. After that goal it was a bit wild, but it’s always like this in these games.”

That assessment felt particularly apt. Spurs, driven by the atmosphere and necessity, pushed numbers forward, forcing Liverpool into a more reactive stance. The final stages demanded discipline rather than dominance.

“When they get one goal then they are trying to get a second one,” Wirtz said. “In the end you just have to try to bring it to the end and take the three points. That’s what we did.”

From Slot’s perspective, this was a valuable exercise in control without comfort. Liverpool did not overextend against reduced opposition, nor did they panic when the momentum briefly swung. That balance will be essential as the season deepens.

Spurs Frustration Undermines Promise

For Spurs, the evening was shaped by indiscipline as much as tactical issues. The early dismissal disrupted their structure, while a second red card late on removed any realistic chance of salvaging a point.

There were moments of encouragement, particularly from set pieces, but cohesion was fleeting. Liverpool’s ability to exploit space between the lines proved decisive, with Wirtz frequently finding room to dictate phases of play.

The late goal raised anxiety but not alarm. Liverpool regrouped, slowed the game and closed it out with minimal fuss.

Adaptation Accelerates for Wirtz at Liverpool

Perhaps the most significant takeaway was Wirtz’s own sense of progression. He spoke openly about feeling more at ease with each appearance, an encouraging sign for Liverpool as his role continues to expand.

“I think I had a few good situations,” he said. “I got into some good positions to create something dangerous for goals.”

That comfort is translating into tangible output, but also into leadership within matches that refuse to follow a neat script. Wirtz is increasingly central to how Liverpool control tempo, particularly away from home.

“It’s getting better every week,” he added. “I can feel this on the pitch and it makes me happy that I can enjoy the football.”

On a night when Spurs chased emotion and Liverpool pursued efficiency, that distinction proved decisive. Wirtz did not leave north London with a headline-grabbing goal, but with something arguably more valuable: evidence that he is learning how to win games that demand restraint as much as flair.