Liverpool fans had plenty to celebrate as the Reds wrapped up 2025 with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on December 27. The win, which lifted Liverpool to fourth place in the Premier League, was marked by breakout performances, tactical intrigue, and a sense of renewed optimism as Arne Slot’s side found their stride heading into the new year.
Much of the post-match conversation centered on Florian Wirtz, the German midfielder who finally opened his Premier League account since his high-profile £100 million move from Bayer Leverkusen. Wirtz’s goal, coming just a minute after Ryan Gravenberch’s opener, proved decisive—and the Anfield faithful erupted as he celebrated in front of the Kop. The significance of the moment wasn’t lost on anyone, least of all Wirtz himself. "It was very nice the feeling on the pitch with the fans around. I was very happy and I still am," he told reporters after the match. "I was confident that I would score one day. I wanted to start earlier scoring and assisting but it was like this and I have to accept it. I just know that it will come and I try to keep going like that."
Wirtz’s goal capped a spell of dominance for Liverpool in the first half, as the Reds looked sharp and purposeful. The breakthrough came in the 41st minute when Gravenberch found the net, and Wirtz doubled the advantage just moments later, latching onto a clever pass from Hugo Ekitike, another summer signing. The chemistry between Liverpool’s new arrivals was evident, and it didn’t go unnoticed by football pundits.
Wayne Rooney, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, was effusive in his praise for the link-up play between Wirtz and left-back Milos Kerkez. Both players had experienced slow starts to their Liverpool careers, briefly losing their spots in the starting eleven earlier in the season, but have since worked their way back into Slot’s plans. Rooney singled out their connection as a major positive from the match: "It has to be [the highlight of the game] getting his first Premier League goal. I thought he looked good all game, especially his connection with Kerkez. It looked really good, especially in the first half and that is the main positive for Liverpool."
Indeed, Kerkez and Wirtz combined on several occasions to carve open the Wolves defense, with Kerkez’s marauding runs down the flank and Wirtz’s intelligent movement creating space and opportunity. The pair’s interplay provided a glimpse of what Liverpool fans hope will become a regular feature in the second half of the season.
Despite the early dominance and two quickfire goals, Liverpool’s performance after the break raised a few eyebrows. Wolves came out with renewed energy and managed to pull a goal back within ten minutes of the restart. From there, the visitors pressed hard for an equalizer, forcing Liverpool onto the back foot for much of the second half. Wirtz himself acknowledged the team’s struggles late in the game: "We played a brilliant first half. We lost the game and got it back. Everyone was working hard. In the last 20 minutes, we made it a bit difficult. I cannot explain why. We have to change that. That’s how we want to do it. We want to be there and be on top of the table. It’s not been an easy start for us but we’re doing better and getting the points."
The Reds’ ability to grind out the win, even as Wolves piled on the pressure, demonstrated a resilience that has sometimes been lacking in recent campaigns. For manager Arne Slot, the victory was not just about three points, but about seeing his new signings step up and deliver when it mattered most. The summer transfer window had been a busy one for Liverpool, with the arrivals of Wirtz, Kerkez, and Ekitike all aimed at refreshing the squad and injecting new energy. While each player has faced challenges adapting to the Premier League, their performances against Wolves hinted at a growing understanding and confidence within the group.
Wirtz’s goal was more than just a personal milestone—it was a statement that Liverpool’s investment in young talent is beginning to pay dividends. The German midfielder’s composure, vision, and technical ability have already made him a fan favorite, and his link-up with Kerkez could become a key weapon in Liverpool’s attacking arsenal. Rooney’s endorsement only added to the sense of anticipation: "Wirtz’s connection with Kerkez looked really good, especially in the first half and that is the main positive for Liverpool."
For Wolves, the defeat was a bitter pill, but their second-half display showed fight and determination. After conceding twice just before halftime, they responded with a goal early in the second half and kept Liverpool honest right up to the final whistle. The visitors’ inability to find a late equalizer owed as much to Liverpool’s defensive grit as it did to their own missed chances.
The victory means Liverpool end 2025 in a Champions League qualification spot, a position that looked uncertain just a few weeks ago. The team’s slow start to the season had raised questions about their ability to compete at the highest level, but recent results and the emergence of new stars have shifted the narrative. As Wirtz put it, "It’s not been an easy start for us but we’re doing better and getting the points."
Looking ahead, Liverpool fans will be eager to see whether the team can build on this momentum. The Premier League remains fiercely competitive, with Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City all vying for top honors. Speaking of Arsenal, Wayne Rooney recently tipped the Gunners as favorites for the Champions League this season, citing their squad depth and impressive recruitment. "I think they have got as good a chance as they’ve had for a long time. The whole squad they’ve put together, I think it’s got good players obviously starting [and] good players on the bench to come in if they get injuries as well. I think the recruitment has been really good, and they’ve been really strong in the Premier League. If they can take that form into the Champions League, they have a good chance," Rooney told MailSport.
But for now, the spotlight remains firmly on Liverpool’s evolving squad and their potential to challenge for silverware. The win over Wolves may not have been perfect, but it offered plenty of encouragement for supporters and a glimpse of the future under Arne Slot. With Wirtz, Kerkez, and Ekitike settling in and showing their quality, Liverpool’s prospects for 2026 look a lot brighter than they did just a month ago.
As the calendar turns and the fixtures pile up, Liverpool’s blend of youth and experience will be put to the test. But if the chemistry on display against Wolves is any indication, the Reds are ready to rise to the occasion. Anfield will be watching—and the Premier League will be on notice.
