Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has come to the defense of Florian Wirtz, urging observers to look beyond raw statistics when assessing the German international's contribution to the team. Wirtz, a £116m signing, has just one Premier League assist and no goals so far this season, drawing criticism in some quarters for occasionally losing possession. However, Iraola pointed to his performance in the win over Atlético Madrid as evidence of his growing influence.
"Flo played very well against Atlético Madrid and I also think he has been unlucky," Iraola said, recalling a disallowed goal against Nottingham Forest that was initially given before VAR intervened. The Liverpool boss argued that judging players purely on goals and assists misses the bigger picture. "You have to look at the performances. Does he help us to play well? Yes... Someone will score the goals if we are doing well collectively." Iraola also expressed confidence that Wirtz's understanding with new attacking additions Bradley Barcola and Victor Muñoz would continue to develop, noting the quick chemistry already forming between the wide players.
At Everton, David Moyes is looking to Jack Grealish to set an example for the club's younger wide players. Grealish, back on loan from Manchester City, made an instant impact off the bench in the win over Manchester United despite a disrupted pre-season following a foot injury. Moyes wants the 31-year-old to embrace a mentoring role alongside Tyrique George and Tyler Dibling. "I want him to become that senior citizen among them, somebody who teaches them," Moyes said, while acknowledging Grealish must be carefully managed physically after such a long injury layoff. The Everton manager believes Grealish is well equipped to shoulder increased creative responsibility this season, particularly following Iliman Ndiaye's exit.
At Chelsea, manager Xabi Alonso lavished praise on João Pedro, comparing the Brazilian forward favorably to Manchester City's Erling Haaland after a strong start to the campaign. João Pedro, who missed out on Brazil's World Cup squad, has scored twice in his first three league appearances and was named the Premier League's Player of the Month. "I would say yes," Alonso responded when asked if João Pedro belonged in the same bracket as Haaland, also drawing comparisons to his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema. "He is good in the box, he is good out of the box... very complete, he is intelligent." Alonso also praised his squad's response after a 6-3 Carabao Cup win over Leeds, in which Chelsea overturned a 2-0 deficit, revealing he gave his players a half-time rebuke.
Elsewhere, Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi addressed the ongoing saga surrounding Richarlison, who was left out of the club's Premier League squad after refusing to sign a new contract. De Zerbi insisted the decision was not his but a consequence of the forward's conduct, while stressing he'd welcome Richarlison back into the fold if circumstances changed. Spurs have yet to score in the league this season, a rare drought at the start of a campaign.
In other news, Manchester United revealed the results of a crackdown on ticket touting, banning 685 season ticket accounts and issuing warnings or reduced sanctions to 464 more. Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle said new signing Matias Fernandez-Pardo is nearing full match fitness ahead of facing Leeds, while Bournemouth boss Marco Rose is seeking his first Premier League win as head coach before a landmark Europa League trip to Real Sociedad.
Based on reporting from Guardian Football.