Liverpool FC have finally won a game in the Premier League in 2026. Florian Wirtz paved the way to 4:1 (2:1) with a great assist and a goal.
After a goal from Anthony Gordon (36th), the “Reds” were behind and there was a threat of another national setback after four draws and one defeat in January. The lead was also deserved because Harvey Barnes narrowly missed making it 1-0 with a free kick on the post (26th) and Malick Thiaw after a cross (28th). But then the turning point came with a big moment from Wirtz.
Wirtz serves Ekitiké excellently
In the 41st minute, the German international got the ball in the opponent’s penalty area, dribbled past two opponents and pushed the ball precisely to Hugo Ekitiké, who used the exemplary assist to equalize. For Wirtz, it was also the next chapter in his rise after he had problems in the first few months in Liverpool. In the last 15 competitive games, the 22-year-old has now been directly involved in ten goals (five goals and assists each).
The fact that his assist was also groundbreaking for the first win of the year was due to Ekitiké, who celebrated again just two minutes after his first goal. A 60-meter pass from Milos Kerkez undermined the open Newcastle defense, the ex-Frankfurt player was unstoppable and shot the ball into the far corner to give the “Reds” the lead (43′) – the lightning turnaround was a success.
Hugo Ekitike scores his second goal in three minutes with the pike.
First Alisson shines, then Wirtz again
A fighting duel developed in the second half – which Nick Woltemade had to watch first. The DFB striker was on the bench for the fifth time in the last eight games and has not scored in nine games. But even without Woltemade, the “Magpies” had a great opportunity to equalize, but Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker showed his class after a low shot from Barnes (60th).
The goalkeeper saved the “Reds” – and their 125 million euro signing made them breathe a sigh of relief. In the 67th minute, Wirtz made the preliminary decision with a direct pass from Mohamed Salah. Shortly afterwards, the midfielder almost returned the favor for the Egyptian’s assist, but Salah only shot a Wirtz assist into the side netting after a counterattack (69′).
Konaté scores for his late father
Only then did Woltemade get a chance to somehow ensure a Newcastle comeback from the 73rd minute onwards – but that didn’t happen anymore. The team of the former VfB Stuttgart striker lost further ground in the fight for international places and is now only tenth. Liverpool are now sniffing the Champions League places again – also thanks to Wirtz.
However, things got very emotional in the third minute of added time when Ibrahima Konaté made the final score 4-1. The entire Liverpool team rushed to the defender, who burst into tears. The reason: Konaté’s father died last week.
Ibrahima Konate greets his late father, visibly touched as he celebrates the goal.
