GO WITH THE FLO! Iraola emphatically shuts down Wirtz debate as Liverpool boss insists the stats don't show the real picture

Andoni Iraola insists that Florian Wirtz is playing better than his numbers show as he hit back at the Liverpool star’s critics.

Wirtz has come in for plenty of stick since his £116million move from Bayer Leverkusen and endured a difficult first season in English football. New boss Iraola quickly pencilled him as his starting No.10, playing behind a rapidly changing front three.

Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz both signed during the summer window, while the return to fitness of Alexander Isak and form of Cody Gakpo has given the Reds a host of attacking options.

Wirtz has started all four games under Iraola so far, but only has one assist to his name. His performance in midweek against Atletico Madrid also drew criticism, despite him covering more distance than any other player on the pitch.

But Iraola is adamant that Wirtz’s performances shouldn’t be analysed through goal contributions alone and that he is more than happy with what he is offering.

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"He played very well against Atletico Madrid," said Iraola. "He helped us a lot, also he was very good on the ball and overall I was very happy with his performance.

"The game against Ipswich in the second half he lost more balls than normal but overall I have been very happy with his performances.

"He is a good player out of possession who helps us in our press. But he runs the same as the 10 of Arsenal, the 10 of (Manchester) City, the 10 of Fulham and more or less his stats are very similar to the number 10s other teams have.”

He added: "I agree (he has been unlucky). I remember the ‘goal’ he scored against Nottingham Forest, he could have had very good assists but we haven’t finished them.

"But that is why you cannot just play because of the numbers. Whether a striker scores a lot of goals or he doesn’t score a lot of goals, you have to look at the performances. Does he help us to play well? Yes.

"Well, someone will score the goals and someone will give the assists. It is not that because you had the last touch, you played better than the other person.

"I am not too focused about numbers. Nowadays everything is about numbers, everyone tells players you have to assist, you have to score goals. For me, you have to help us play well. Someone will score the goals if we are doing well collectively."

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard was also impressed with Wirtz’s contribution against Atletico. He said: "His service has been a lot better tonight, he's been unlucky not to get an assist.

"And he deserves a break, he's been under pressure, he's got a lot of stick, a lot of criticism, but I've been impressed with him tonight."