Wirtz justifies angry Liverpool transfer response as Salah statement made

Ian Doyle with the main Liverpool talking points after the Premier League win at West Ham United on Sunday afternoonFlorian Wirtz unwittingly found himself at the centre of attention this week when former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann declared his German compatriot had until Christmas to prove he could make it at Anfield. The angrily dismissive response from the vast majority of supporters indicates that isn’t a widely shared view.Certainly, Arne Slot isn’t in the mood to so swiftly dismiss the virtues of a talent he persuaded can become the centrepiece of his new-look team.Unlocking the real Wirtz has been one of several major tasks during the opening months of the season. And while there have been glimpses in the Champions League, the attacking midfielder hasn’t quite managed to transfer that on to the domestic stage.This, then, was a strong step in the right direction. Having been absent – and, it must be said, missed – in the last two games, Wirtz was recalled into his preferred number 10 role.His constant creative contributions deserved better reward during the first half, although the player himself perhaps should have done better when firing one opening at West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.Wirtz’s persistence, though, paid off with a clever throughball finding Cody Gakpo in space inside the area to create Alexander Isak’s opener.He was Liverpool’s stellar performer by the time of his substitution with 15 minutes remaining.Wirtz now needs to become one of the first names on Slot’s teamsheet.Gomez challenge awaitsJoe Gomez would be forgiven for feeling mixed emotions when stepping out on the turf here.For the first time in more than 11 injury-hampered months, the Liverpool defender was starting a Premier League game.However, it was at the London Stadium last December where Gomez lasted only 37 minutes before suffering a hamstring problem which became an ongoing issue for the remainder of the campaign.With Slot revealing last week Gomez recently had an injection in his knee, fitness issues were subsequently explained for the England man’s ongoing bench duty despite the Reds’ increasing selection woes at right-back.And here the 28-year-old highlighted what the team had been missing with an impressive display that brought balance to a position where they had been sorely lacking.Solid defensively in helping Liverpool keep only a fourth Premier League clean sheet of the season and willing to push forward, Gomez also utilised his unique contribution to Slot’s attacking arsenal – the long throw.It was from one such set-piece that the Reds fashioned their opener, sparked by Gomez after his initial attempt had been cleared.Fitting, then, that the right-back then claimed a direct assist when his cross found Gakpo for the second.A welcome sight in the starting line-up, the challenge for Gomez now is to stay there.Salah statement madeThe last time Mohamed Salah was dropped to the bench in the Premier League, he later departed the stadium by claiming “there will be fire” if he commented on the decision.That came 19 months ago at West Ham. And on this latest visit to the London Stadium, Salah once again found himself among the substitutes, one of four players to be axed with Slot compelled to change following his team’s dismal recent form.While Salah was far from the only player to perform below their standard, his absence was always going to be the most eye-catching.And rather than prompting flames, the failure of the Egyptian to even get off the bench gave Liverpool another opportunity to experience life without him ahead of his exit for the Africa Cup of Nations later this month.Indeed, a revitalised Salah with a point to prove over the next fortnight will surely only be of benefit.Finally, there was an emotional tribute before the game for West Ham great Billy Bonds, who passed away at the age of 79.The applause from every part of the ground underlined his legendary status within the game.