This was Crystal Palace’s day but it could well be Liverpool’s season again. For a new reason: Florian Wirtz.
A player who could eventually cost Liverpool £116m showed what all the noise was about.
Wirtz was far from his best, and like many of his teammates, he tired in the second half, but the German’s blend of work-ethic and technique guarantees he will be one of the most talked-about players of the season.
This was a story of two No7s: Wirtz and Ismaila Sarr, who excelled with a well-taken goal and a nerveless conversion in Crystal Palace’s 3-2 shootout victory.
This was also a story of Dean Henderson impressing in goal, and being serenaded as ‘England’s No.1’ by Palace fans. Adam Wharton was not far behind Sarr and Henderson in performance.
It was also a reminder of Oliver Glasner’s capacity for blending players into a strong team. Palace fought back, hit back on the counter, and took their penalties better.
But Palace are not in the reckoning to feature prominently in the Premier League title race that begins on Friday. Liverpool are.
The champions host Bournemouth as the season opens, live on talkSPORT, and are understandably favourites for the Premier League. Wirtz is central to such billing.
He brings so much to Liverpool. Liverpool have always had a history of strengthening when champions, dating back to Kenny Dalglish arriving for £440,000 from Celtic as Kevin Keegan left for Hamburg for £500,000 in 1977. The big red juggernaut actually accelerated.
Wirtz will still need some time to settle in. Liverpool are not only bedding in the 22-year-old but two rampaging full-backs, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, who both looked the part.
Hugo Ekitike impressed at centre forward and what will also excite Liverpool fans is the Frenchman’s link-ups with Wirtz.
For an hour until looking drained, Wirtz was the conductor of the Liverpool orchestra. His presence eases the pressure on Mo Salah.
Even still so young, Wirtz knew when to dribble forward and when to play it first time, often to Ekitike, occasionally blind, round the corner, and unerringly into the Frenchman’s feet. Wirtz commanded the ball, accepting it however many Palace players thronged around him.
Early comparisons are being made with peak Philippe Coutinho by some Liverpool fans. Wirtz is a far more durable version of the Brazilian, more effective out of possession, pressing and covering back. He’s far more robust, his socks struggling to rise above those bulging calves.
It was possible to detect occasional echoes of Paul Gascoigne in Wirtz’s dribbling, the ball dancing on the tip of his toes, inviting the challenge before whipping the ball away, and disappearing upfield.
Wirtz attracts such superlatives. One Bundesliga video compilation of Wirtz during his time at Bayer Leverkusen was entitled ‘the most talented player in Bundesliga history?’
Members of Bayern Munich’s former players club might dispute that. But Wirtz is undoubtedly special, a force in this generation.
Certainly in the first half here, Wirtz was everywhere, his many strengths in evidence from the opening whistle. His movement was so intelligent.
Within three minutes, the German international glided into space on the left, taking the ball from Cody Gakpo. His touch was so strong, so clever. He threaded his pass behind Chris Richards, moving the ball quickly to Ekitike. Palace were caught out.
Wirtz’s touches are rarely in isolation. They are notes in a sequence. He immediately ghosted into more space on the left to take the return from Ekitike.
His decision-making is swift and precise, quickly driving the ball to Ekitike’s left foot, knowing the situation was made for the ball then to come on to the striker’s right. Ekitike duly scored.
Liverpool’s 7 was playing as a 10 but dropping off, often working as an 8.
Arne Slot has to juggle his midfield now. He should have Ryan Gravenberch available for Friday after the Dutchman’s partner Cindy gave birth to their first child on Friday.
With Wirtz best in this 8/10 role, it is between Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister for the third midfield position.
Wirtz is almost two players in one. He worked hard out of possession, tracking Daichi Kamada. When Kamada limped off, Wirtz harried his replacement Will Hughes. He challenged Hughes for an aerial ball, then continued across to block Tyrick Mitchell’s attempted pass down the line. He’s selfless.
He’s occasionally impetuous. Wirtz does collect bookings, 11 in 53 appearances last season with Bayer Leverkusen and Germany, and starting early here by drawing the disapproval of Chris Kavanagh for kicking the ball away.
When Hughes tugged him back briefly, Wirtz stopped, expecting a free-kick that never came. He threw his arms out in frustration and received a brief lecture from Kavanagh. Welcome to England.
Even when Wirtz looked to be running out of steam, Slot eschewed the opportunity to rest him. Mac Allister and Wataru Endo came on for Ekitike and Curtis Jones. Liverpool were now four-box-two with Wirtz and Szoboszlai as twin 10s with Salah and Gakpo drifting in from wide.
Slot finally withdrew Wirtz. More important engagements lie ahead. And Wirtz looks very much up for them.
