Florian Wirtz played well for Liverpool against Brighton, helping establish a lead in the first half, and Andoni Iraola is hopeful that the German's knock doesn't prove too serious

Liverpool playmaker Florian Wirtz has joked that he must just be an "interesting guy" amid the scrutiny over his performances since he arrived at Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.

The German was impressive as Liverpool beat Brighton in the Premier League this weekend, though his first-half strike ultimately went down as an own goal by Pascal Gross. Wirtz has found some form in recent weeks after fierce criticism from pundits including Reds legend Jamie Carragher, who claimed he needed to be dropped.

Stringing together some impressive showings against LASK, Brentford and then Villarreal, though, Wirtz showcased what he could do in the first half against Brighton — by far the toughest test in that run.

"Maybe I'm just an interesting guy, you know?" Wirtz told the BBC with a smile.

"No, I just play my football, and if people want to talk about me or judge me, that's their job. I am not focusing on that. I just want to play football, and more, I cannot do."

Wirtz is up to one goal and three assists in all competitions this season. He scored against Villarreal when he came off the bench in the Champions League and appears to be regaining some confidence.

However, he was replaced by Trey Nyoni in the second half of the win over Brighton after picking up a knock that required some treatment.

"Unfortunately, he had to leave the pitch with a small twist of the ankle," Andoni Iraola told Sky Sports post-match. "It doesn't look very big but we are playing every three days so we need to see where he is."

In general, Iraola was pleased with the performance of his side, who have now moved up to fourth in the standings.

"Very happy," he added. "Very happy for today, very happy overall for these four wins. I think we had today a very good opposition in front, similar to Villarreal the other day — teams that technically are really good.

Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kit

Liverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign.

"It's difficult to defend them a lot of times. I think today the key was how we started. We needed a stronger start, be aggressive, recover the ball, win our duels, be dangerous in transitions.

"I think we've done it and it has been a different game from the last ones, where we've conceded first and after you need a comeback. Today, I think we've started better and the game has gone differently."