Florian Wirtz’s nine chances give Liverpool a way forward

Florian Wirtz created nine chances from open play in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Brentford on Saturday, producing a Premier League away performance unmatched for more than 15 years. His pass for Víctor Muñoz’s equaliser offered the clearest example of what Liverpool can build around.

The encouraging part for Andoni Iraola is the connection between creator and runner. Wirtz supplied the opening, Muñoz turned it into a goal, and Liverpool had a route through a defence protecting a lead.

That relationship gives the nine-chance headline its value. Liverpool need to make those combinations a regular feature of their attack.

Florian Wirtz’s nine chances in context

According to Opta’s analysis of Brentford against Liverpool, Wirtz became the first player to create nine chances from open play in a Premier League match since Sadio Mané against Burnley in January 2021.

Away from home, the comparison stretches back to Samir Nasri’s 10 for Manchester City at Tottenham in August 2011. Wirtz also assisted in consecutive Liverpool appearances in all competitions for the first time.

The open-play qualification matters. These comparisons concern opportunities created during open play, rather than a total boosted by corner or free-kick deliveries.

There is another distinction worth keeping: chances created measures how often a player supplies the final ball before an attempt, including assists. It does not mean every opportunity was one a team-mate should have scored. Opta records those clearer openings separately as big chances.

Nine shows how frequently Wirtz connected Liverpool’s possession to a shot. Assessing the quality of those openings requires looking at what happened next.

Muñoz’s goal shows the partnership Liverpool need

The equaliser provides a useful example. Muñoz ran onto Wirtz’s pass, moved inside onto his left foot and finished low. There was still work for the scorer to do after receiving the ball.

Liverpool’s winner involved another combination: Bradley Barcola headed down Alexis Mac Allister’s delivery for Alexander Isak to finish. Across the two goals, the attacking responsibility was shared.

Our reading is that Wirtz benefits when Liverpool give him several ways to advance an attack. A runner beyond the defence can invite a through ball; a player receiving wide can create room by taking on his opponent. Those movements make the passer’s decision more difficult to anticipate.

Muñoz supplied both movement and individual execution for the equaliser. Liverpool should be trying to repeat that understanding, while allowing Wirtz to choose the pass the situation demands.

We gave him 7.5 in our Brentford v Liverpool player ratings, with his contribution to the equaliser central to that assessment.

Brentford’s red card belongs in the assessment

Yehor Yarmoliuk’s dismissal in first-half stoppage time meant Brentford played the entire second half with 10 men. Liverpool scored both goals before Vitaly Janelt received his second yellow card in added time. The comeback was therefore achieved against 10; Brentford finished with nine.

That changed the task facing Wirtz. Liverpool had an extra player, but still needed to find openings around a defence protecting its penalty area.

Iraola explained the appeal of having Wirtz in those circumstances in his post-match press conference: “if you need a player there, you need Flo”.

The manager highlighted the small spaces available and the technical precision needed to exploit them.

For Liverpool, that offers a practical lesson. Getting Wirtz involved close to team-mates who can attack those spaces should be a priority whenever opponents defend deep.

The next test is sustaining the threat

Iraola also identified a weakness after Liverpool went ahead: their attacking freedom gave way to uncertainty about protecting the lead, and opportunities to settle the match on the counter went unused.

That is the next stage of this argument. Liverpool need Wirtz’s connections with the forwards to help them manage a game as well as chase one. Keeping an outlet and threatening another goal can make it harder for opponents to build pressure.

Brighton’s visit to Anfield on Sunday 25 October provides the next Premier League test. Another nine-chance performance would be exceptional. A steady supply of useful openings, supported by the movement that made Muñoz’s equaliser possible, would give Liverpool something more sustainable.