Florian Wirtz Left Stunned as First Liverpool Goal Officially Goes to Sunderland: “It’s Unlucky, But That’s Football”

Florian Wirtz Left Stunned as First Liverpool Goal Officially Goes to Sunderland: “It’s Unlucky, But That’s Football”

Liverpool’s summer signing Florian Wirtz thought he had finally opened his Premier League account for the club in Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland—but the German midfielder’s joy was short-lived. What initially seemed like a breakthrough goal was officially credited as an own goal by Sunderland’s Nordi Mukiele, leaving Wirtz stunned and fans buzzing over the twist.

After a summer transfer that reportedly cost Liverpool £116 million, expectations have been sky-high for the Pulheim-born playmaker. With a squad that includes star additions like Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, and Jeremie Frimpong, the Reds were expected to storm the Premier League. Wirtz, who excelled in Germany with a 15-goal, 15-assist season, has yet to make the kind of instant impact Anfield hoped for.

The equaliser seemed his moment. Receiving a pass from Curtis Jones, Wirtz weaved past defenders, wrong-footed Sunderland’s Dan Ballard, and curled a perfect left-footed shot into the top corner—only for it to deflect off Mukiele. In his post-match interview, Wirtz admitted a brief pang of disappointment but insisted it wasn’t the main issue. “It doesn’t matter for me. We draw. We wanted to win. That’s what counts today. Unlucky,” he said calmly.

Teammate Curtis Jones expressed sympathy, highlighting Wirtz’s relentless work ethic. “Flo is a guy who wants the ball a lot. He ran so much. It’s just a shame it goes down as an own goal,” Jones noted. The pair’s camaraderie underlines Wirtz’s determination to integrate fully into Liverpool’s setup, despite a challenging start.

Reflecting on his adjustment to English football, Wirtz acknowledged the hurdles of a new league and club. “First of all, I was very welcomed by the team. It’s a very good team, and I’m very happy to be here. The last weeks have been difficult for us as a team, but we are on a good path to come back. We are doing everything to win games.”

Liverpool, currently 11 points behind table-topping Arsenal after 14 matches, face a crucial period in the season. With upcoming fixtures against Leeds United and a Champions League clash at Inter Milan, Wirtz’s ability to find the net could play a pivotal role in reviving the Reds’ campaign. Though his first goal remains officially elusive, the midfielder’s determination and talent promise that it is only a matter of time before he finally opens his account at Anfield.