Andoni Iraola has “very little doubt” Florian Wirtz can become a success this season after the Germany international helped Liverpool maintain their unbeaten start. Wirtz played a key part in the build-up to Alexander Isak’s first equaliser before assisting Victor Munoz to ensure a 2-2 Premier League draw at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon.
Pundit criticism and response
The 23-year-old was criticised last week by a number of pundits after an indifferent showing in the opening weekend draw at Newcastle United. But Iraola is convinced Wirtz can become an integral player in the number 10 role.
“Florian is very good in dressing room,” he said. “I trust him a lot, and I think we have to find the best way to use him. His position from my side is quite clear and the more he plays with us the better he will be. I have very little doubt.”
Disallowed goal and VAR decisions
Wirtz had a goal disallowed shortly before half-time after Liverpool had fallen behind through Dan Ndoye's early strike. Iraola said: “Accepting it has been a poor first half (from us) we have also been very unlucky. Their goal honestly looked offside but there is a heel of someone and there is a VAR decision.
"The goal from Florian, Forest were not complaining and then there was another VAR decision going against you. It would have been lovely for Florian and for us to score a goal and be at 1-1 as it obviously puts you in a better position going into the second half. The second goal (for us) also he does very well.”
Munoz impresses on full debut
Munoz scored his first Liverpool goal on his full debut following his £34.5million arrival from Osasuna earlier in the summer, and earned the praise of Iraola for his persistence having won a late penalty at Newcastle last week. “I think Victor has been very good both games,” he said. “I like that he sometimes hasn’t taken the right decisions and despite sometimes making some fouls and everything hasn’t been perfect, he continues trying all the time.
"He has gone again and again and again and I like this a lot from the wingers. The other day he contributed with the penalty and today with the goal. He has been always a threat and defensively he has helped us a lot. I’m happy with him.”
Substitution issues and penalty decision
Forest’s second goal from the spot by Morgan Gibbs-White came when former Liverpool player Neco Williams was adjudged to have been upended by Alisson Becker when running on to a quick throw-in by Liam Delap. Iraola, though, was unhappy it came at a time when he was attempting to make a triple substitution only to be thwarted by the fourth official having continued issues using his electronic board.
“I don’t have an explanation (for what happened),” said the Reds boss. “I wanted to make the subs three minutes before. There were three, four times where the ball went out, and I still don’t know the reason we haven’t made the substitutions. Definitely he (the fourth official) was having some problems with the board. I wanted to make the subs and they took a quick throw. I complained and even the supporters were shouting and everyone was aware of the situation. But I don’t know the reasons for what happened. I’ll leave you to decide if it was a penalty or not.”
