In a dramatic end-of-year clash at Anfield, Liverpool narrowly escaped a Wolves upset with a 2-1 victory, but the post-match headlines have been dominated by one man’s polarizing verdict. Former Reds striker turned pundit Peter Crouch didn’t hold back, highlighting a performance he called “the best of the season” while simultaneously calling out the struggles of summer arrival Federico Chiesa.
“We Would Have Lost Without Him”
While the Kop celebrated the three points that keep Arne Slot’s title charge alive, Crouch was quick to point out that the scoreline flattered the hosts. In his post-match analysis, he singled out Florian Wirtz as the undisputed savior of the afternoon.
> “People will look at the goals, but you have to look at the impact,” Crouch stated. “Federico Chiesa and Milos Kerkez were poor yesterday. They looked off the pace. But Wirtz? That guy stepped up when everyone didn’t expect him to carry the load. Honestly, we would have lost yesterday without him.”
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Wirtz, who has faced immense pressure since his high-profile move, finally looked like the world-beater Liverpool fans had been promised. He wasn’t just on the scoresheet; he was the heartbeat of a side that, for long periods of the second half, looked vulnerable to a Wolves comeback.
The Struggle: Chiesa and Kerkez Under Fire
The victory was marred by what many are calling a “reality check” for Federico Chiesa. Making a rare start in the absence of Mohamed Salah (who is away at AFCON), the Italian winger failed to find his rhythm.
* Federico Chiesa: Substituted after 60 minutes, Chiesa struggled to beat his man and looked frustrated by Wolves’ low block.
* Milos Kerkez: The young fullback had a difficult afternoon tracking Wolves’ transitions, leading to several “nervy moments” that Crouch noted were uncharacteristic of a championship-winning defense.
Why Wirtz is the “Performance of the Season”
For Crouch, Wirtz’s display was about more than just his goal. It was about leadership and composure. After Wolves pulled one back through Santiago Bueno in the 51st minute, Anfield grew tense.
| Key Stat | Florian Wirtz vs Wolves |
|—|—|
| Goals | 1 |
| Chances Created | 4 |
| Dribbles Completed | 85% |
| Ground Duels Won | 7/9 |
“It’s easy to play well when you’re 4-0 up,” Crouch explained. “It’s another thing to demand the ball when the momentum is shifting against you. Wirtz took the game by the scruff of the neck. It was his most complete performance in a Red shirt so far.”
Closing the Year on a High
Despite the criticism of certain individuals, Liverpool ends 2025 in a strong position. Arne Slot’s side has shown a “knack for winning ugly,” a trait that defined the greatest Liverpool teams of the past. If Wirtz can maintain this “performance of the season” form, the temporary loss of Salah might not be the disaster many feared.
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