Slot praises Wirtz after cameo in Liverpool win over Barnsley | OneFootball

Liverpool claimed a 4-1 win over Barnsley at Anfield to advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup last night.

The Reds made a meal of the game but had enough firepower to get past the League One team.

Dominik Szoboszlai broke the deadlock with a terrific hit before Jeremie Frimpong doubled the lead, but a mistake allowed Barnsley back into the game.

Liverpool needed inspiration from the bench, and manager Arne Slot called on Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz to swing the tie with minutes to go.

Wirtz had a particularly brilliant cameo, scoring once and setting up Ekitike in a dazzling display that earned praise from Slot.

Slot said (via the BBC): “If you come on for half an hour and you have a goal, an assist and a few other good moments, you can definitely say he brought something creative to the team, and that’s what we needed.”

Wirtz is beginning to show the qualities that led to Liverpool buying him, but he needs to start delivering the goods consistently.

Previously described as a ‘complete midfielder‘, he could be the difference-maker in the second half of the season.

The Reds have crucial games against Burnley, Newcastle United, Manchester City, Bournemouth and Marseille in the coming weeks.

This cameo should not be viewed as a one-off but as the benchmark for Wirtz going forward.

Liverpool did not invest heavily in him for flashes of brilliance. They need sustained influence in decisive moments.

Wirtz has the tools to dictate games and tilt tight contests in Liverpool’s favour. Performances like this must become the norm, not the exception, if he is to justify his billing.