Steven Gerrard makes bold comparison on ‘brilliant’ Florian Wirtz | OneFootball

Gerrard Compares Wirtz to Zidane After Sunderland Display

Wirtz Sets Tempo at Stadium of Light

Steven Gerrard believes Florian Wirtz produced a performance of genuine authority during Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Sunderland, describing the German as the player most likely to “open the door” in a tense Premier League contest at the Stadium of Light.

Wirtz was Liverpool’s most influential figure across the opening 45 minutes. He registered four shots, forced two saves and recorded more touches inside the Sunderland penalty area than any other player before the interval. While the decisive moment ultimately came via Virgil van Dijk’s header, it was Wirtz who consistently threatened to tilt the balance.

Gerrard, speaking during TNT Sports’ half-time coverage, did not hesitate in his assessment. “He has been Liverpool’s best player,” he said. “It looks like he is going to be the one to open the door. He is very effective when he stays the other side of the midfield.”

Against a Sunderland side unbeaten at home in the league since promotion, Liverpool required control as much as creativity. Wirtz delivered both, operating between the lines and repeatedly unsettling the defensive structure put in place by Régis Le Bris.

Gerrard Highlights Tactical Discipline

Beyond the flair, Gerrard’s praise centred on positional intelligence. He was clear that Wirtz’s impact is maximised when he resists the temptation to drop too deep.

“He doesn’t need to come deep to receive it,” Gerrard explained. “He has got to allow [Ryan] Gravenberch and [Alexis] Mac Allister to do that. As soon as they change the speed and the tempo of the game, it allows them to penetrate.”

It was a pointed observation. Liverpool’s midfield has at times lacked cohesion this season, particularly in high-pressure away fixtures. Yet at Sunderland, the structure looked more coherent. Gravenberch and Mac Allister dictated rhythm from deeper zones, while Wirtz remained advanced, ready to exploit transitional moments.

The clearest example came midway through the first half. Latching onto a precise pass from Cody Gakpo, Wirtz shifted the ball out of his feet before striking a left-footed effort that clipped the post. It was the closest Liverpool came to breaking the deadlock before the interval.

Zidane Comparison Underlines Quality

Reviewing that moment, Gerrard reached for a lofty comparison.

“He is the one and this is where he’s brilliant,” he continued. “An early pass, a fantastic touch, it’s almost Zidane-like. He takes it back away from the defender, so he hasn’t got time to defend it, and he’s really unlucky with that effort.”

Invoking Zinedine Zidane is not done lightly. For Gerrard, a former Liverpool captain with extensive European pedigree, the reference spoke to technical poise under pressure. Wirtz’s manipulation of space and timing of movement evoked a level of composure rarely associated with players of his age.

That said, the analysis remained grounded. Liverpool’s overall performance was not without tension. Sunderland defended resolutely, and it required Van Dijk’s aerial presence — with Habib Diarra applying the final touch — to secure the three points.

Sunderland Context Shapes Narrative

Victory carries added weight given the wider Premier League landscape. Liverpool’s win closed the gap to Manchester United and Chelsea in fourth and fifth, reinforcing the significance of delivering results in difficult environments.

Sunderland’s home resilience had been a defining feature of their campaign. To emerge with a narrow 1-0 win reflected both patience and discipline. While the headlines may focus on Gerrard’s comparison and Wirtz’s elegance, the collective response mattered equally.

For Gerrard, however, the message was clear. Wirtz has become a central reference point in Liverpool’s attacking play. “He’s looked like the likely one and the one to open the door with his quality,” he said.

In a season defined by fine margins, such quality may prove decisive. Sunderland tested Liverpool’s resolve. Wirtz, as Gerrard suggested, provided the imagination. Together, they shaped a night that could yet carry broader implications.