Steven Gerrard and Owen Hargreaves praise Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz after his recent purple patch in the Premier League - 'World at his feet'
By Sanjay Suri
Updated 12/02/2026 at 13:05 GMT
React to this story
Steven Gerrard talked about "world class" Florian Wirtz after another standout performance in Liverpool's 1-0 win at Sunderland in the Premier League. The former Liverpool captain and ex-Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves were impressed by Wirtz's work on and off the ball as he gets used to the pace of English football. Stream the Premier League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Highlights: Sunderland finally fall at home as Van Dijk leads Liverpool to win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Steven Gerrard has described Florian Wirtz as "streets ahead of the defensive play" after another controlling performance in Liverpool's 1-0 win away to Sunderland.
Virgil van Dijk’s deflected header from a second-half corner was enough for the Reds to take all three points home from the Stadium of Light – the first team to do so in the league this season.
While not getting on the scoresheet, Wirtz regained possession six times, completed 30 passes in the final third and hit a post as he pulled the strings once more.
And former captain Gerrard said on TNT Sports: "In terms of his technical level, it’s world class. He’s got the world at his feet.
"He’s so exciting to watch. In tight little areas, his touch is immaculate. His awareness of what’s around him is superb.
"He’s always looking to create goals. He's always looking to try and get on the scoresheet as well.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/02/11/image-ff45d05c-f215-425d-a553-f888ec5837bf-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'I would've loved to have played with this kid' - Gerrard hails Wirtz after Sunderland display
Video credit: TNT Sports
"For me, I always watch players and think to myself, ‘Would I like to play with him as a player?’ I would love to play with this kid, he’s always in space.
"He’s so clever in terms of where to receive the ball, I just think he’s so exciting for the Premier League.
"He’s just on a different wavelength and streets ahead of the defensive play."
Wirtz came under heavy scrutiny after his £116 million move to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen, exacerbated by taking some time to adjust to the pace of the Premier League.
The German now has six goals and two assists since Christmas in all competitions having had to wait 16 matches for his first goal contribution.
However, his underlying numbers have always been good. He is second in the league for passes into the final third while sitting third for chances created in open play.
Wirtz was humbler about his performance on Wearside though.
He said: "It was okay. A few good moments, a few not so good moments. In the end I tried to have some chances to score, give good passes, but we won in the end and it doesn't matter how I perform.
"Every good game gives you confidence when you get the ball and can do special things so it’s always good to have these games because you can’t impact every game."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/02/11/image-5b27fc2a-d8e1-458e-8188-1a5b9f6c512d-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Wirtz says 'every good game gives you confidence' as Liverpool rise continues
Video credit: TNT Sports
Hargreaves - The game is running through him
Owen Hargreaves, another midfielder with experience in the Premier League and Bundesliga, also praised Wirtz’s performances in recent weeks.
The TNT Sports expert said: "When you watch him he’s very calm, very humble and he doesn’t get too up or too down.
"Anyone who’s managed him or played with him, Toni Kroos or Julian Nagelsmann or Xabi Alonso, they think the world of him. I think technically right now he’s Liverpool’s best player.
"Right now the game’s kind of running through him."
Gerrard said: "You’d say [Dominik] Szoboszlai would probably edge him but this kid is getting better and better.
"What people don’t give him enough credit for is the job he does out of possession. A lot of No. 10s don’t do much going back for the team but this kid on the ball turnover he’s so quick to react.
"He’s so on it and I think the defensive players will really appreciate the job he does for the team."
Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement