Liverpool left west London with a 2-1 Premier League win over Brentford, and the standout detail from the afternoon centred on Florian Wirtz. In a game that swung on control, pressure and creativity, the attacking midfielder produced a chance creation return that underlined exactly why he is becoming so central to Liverpool’s attacking structure.

Wirtz created nine chances from open play during the victory. That figure is exceptionally rare in Premier League terms. Opta reported that it was the most by an individual in a league match since Sadio Mane also posted nine for Liverpool against Burnley in January 2021. Even more striking, it was the highest such away tally in the competition for more than 15 years, with Samir Nasri having recorded 10 back in August 2011.

The match itself required Liverpool to respond. Brentford went ahead just before the interval through Keane Lewis-Potter, while the home side also saw red cards shown at the end of each half. Liverpool then turned the contest around after the break, with Victor Munoz and Alexander Isak scoring to secure the points.

Wirtz’s influence went beyond raw data. He supplied the assist for Munoz’s goal and was named Carlsberg Player of the Match, recognition that reflected the rhythm he gave Liverpool whenever they moved through the lines. His ability to receive possession, shift the angle of attack and consistently find runners created a level of attacking threat Brentford struggled to contain.

Numbers like this do not appear often, particularly away from home and from open play. Nine chances created places Wirtz in a highly exclusive bracket and gives a strong indication of the volume of opportunities Liverpool were able to generate through one player’s vision and execution.

For Liverpool, the significance is obvious. Wirtz was productive, decisive and efficient in a difficult away fixture, and his output provided the platform for a comeback that could prove important over the course of the Premier League season.

As a Liverpool supporter, this is exactly the kind of report you want to read because it confirms what many fans are already seeing with their own eyes. Wirtz is not simply collecting nice touches in advanced areas, he is actively dictating matches and creating openings at a rate that shifts games in Liverpool’s favour.

What stands out most is the calibre of the company he has joined with this statistic. When a player is matching figures associated with top-level Premier League creators, it tells you his performance was far more than a tidy display. It was a game-driving display, the sort that separates very good attackers from genuine difference-makers.