Liverpool's Florian Wirtz finally gets his moment and what took Ruben Amorim so long to change Man Utd formation? - Premier League hits and misses

Liverpool's Florian Wirtz finally gets his moment and what took Ruben Amorim so long to change Man Utd formation? - Premier League hits and misses Sky Sports' football journalists reflect on the weekend's Premier League action; Arsenal need to find their cutting edge despite Brighton win; Rayan Cherki could be Man City's joker in the pack; Newcastle's away form remains a concern; Igor Jesus shines for Nottingham Forest at Man City Image:Newcastle have only won once away from home in the Premier League this season Image:Igor Jesus gave Man City's defenders a tough afternoon Image:Jacob Bruun Larsen rues a missed chance against Everton Saturday 27 December 2025 19:59, UK Wirtz finally gets his Anfield moment "I wanted to start scoring and assisting earlier," Florian Wirtz told Sky Sports after finally netting his first Liverpool goal. Talk about an understatement. Few could have imagined that Wirtz would have to wait so long for his first goal in a Liverpool shirt but it finally came at the 23rd time of asking. There have been moments when some thought it had come, such as the deflected equaliser against Sunderland. His effort against Wolves was the sort of goal Wirtz had been expected to deliver, a product of his off-the-ball movement and technical ability. The partnership with Hugo Ekitike is certainly promising. Indeed, the forward was returning a favour from early in the game with his pass. Arne Slot certainly enjoyed the performance. "I thought he was special in a lot of moments. I think he is getting better and better." But he knows too that Wirtz needed this moment, the relief inside Anfield palpable once the ball hit the back of the net. Liverpool supporters have seen enough to know that the Germany international has the quality to play and thrive at this football club, but the onus is still on Wirtz to show it. Anfield demands end product to go with the flicks and tricks, the sways and the skills. A goal at home to the bottom club in the Premier League with his team already ahead is hardly seismic in its significance but if it proves the launch pad for more, a weight lifted from the shoulders, then this could yet prove a pivotal point in Wirtz's Liverpool career. Adam Bate Arsenal need to find cutting edge Arsenal continue to be dogged by defensive injuries but their attack is the bigger issue right now. Their narrow win over Brighton was just the latest game in which their profligacy has almost cost them. The Gunners needed a penalty shootout to see off Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup after conceding a late Marc Guehi leveller. They needed a stoppage-time own goal from Yerson Mosquera to beat Wolves. Here, they needed a David Raya wonder-save to prevent Yankuba Minteh from hauling Brighton level. All that despite dominating all three games. Arsenal racked up a combined total of 65 shots against Brighton, Palace and Wolves and yet only scored five goals, four of which...

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