<p>Expensive Germany playmaker showed only glimpses of his quality in the Merseyside derby win against Everton</p><p>As Mohamed Salah’s farewell tour continues apace, Liverpool are desperately seeking new heroes but are still overly reliant on the veterans. The next generation has to take the team forward but it was the calmness of the Egyptian and Virgil van Dijk that secured a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/19/everton-liverpool-premier-league-match-report">dramatic late victory</a> in the tightest of Merseyside derbies.</p><p>The summer’s recruitment was supposed to future-proof the Premier League champions but it has created a season of transition. One of the key arrivals was Florian Wirtz, bought for what was, briefly, a club record fee of £116m from Bayer Leverkusen. The costs of signing world-class players are always going to take the headlines but should soon be forgotten once the individual starts displaying his talents.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/19/florian-wirtz-still-struggling-to-forge-connections-in-tough-liverpool-baptism">Continue reading...</a>