Florian Wirtz returns to the starting eleven after recovering from his injury – and the Reds can finally celebrate again. Alexander Isak scores for the first time for LFC.
Thanks to the first Premier League goal of record signing Alexander Isak, FC Liverpool has temporarily found its way back on track. With returnee Florian Wirtz in the starting eleven, the struggling English soccer champions won 2-0 (0-0) at West Ham United and celebrated the urgently needed liberation after the horror weeks.
Isak provided the breakthrough in the 60th minute, the 150 million man had previously only scored once in the League Cup. Wirtz also played a key role in the goal, the 22-year-old played the pass to assist Cody Gakpo. The Dutchman then secured the decision late on (90.+2). Liverpool’s victory brought them back within striking distance of the international spots.
Alexander Isak scored for Liverpool FC
Wirtz replaces Salah from the starting eleven
For West Ham, national striker Niclas Füllkrug only came on in the final phase (78th), Lucas Paqueta saw a yellow card, then a yellow-red card (84th) for arguing within just one minute. The Londoners remain in the bottom of the table with eleven points.
Wirtz, who missed the embarrassing defeats against Nottingham Forest (0:3) and PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League (1:4) with a thigh injury, immediately returned to the starting eleven on his comeback – and thus displaced superstar Mohamed Salah to the bench. “We play four games in ten days. I have many good players, so I decided on this line-up today,” said team manager Arne Slot before the start of the match on Sky Sports.
After the emotional minute of silence for West Ham record player Billy Bonds, who died on Sunday morning at the age of 79, the Reds were the dominant team. Wirtz (39th) missed a top chance to take the lead and is still waiting for his first goal in the Reds jersey. The active player was substituted in the 75th minute.
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