Matthäus on Wirtz: Goal important but not 'decisive breakthrough'

The first Liverpool goal was important for Florian Wirtz but he must further improve at his new club, former Germany captain Lother Matthäus has said.

Matthäus said in his Sky TV column he was happy for the playmaker that he finally found the net on Saturday against Wolverhampton Wanderers, more than four months into the season after a €150 million ($177 million) summer move from Bayer Leverkusen.

But the 1990 World Cup winner added that it "wasn't the decisive breakthrough for me yet" and that Wirtz must "continue to work hard for his recognition and position.

"He is slowly becoming a man now, he must continue to fight his way through and stick his elbows out. Then he will get even more balls, be allowed to take free kicks and penalties, as he was allowed to do at Bayer and is allowed to do in the national team," Matthäus said.

Matthäus said he wasn't surprised that Wirtz needs time to adapt at Anfield and expressed confidence that he will deliver.

"He has the right attitude and his playing ability is undisputed, just as his desire to succeed together with the team. I am convinced that he will forge ahead," Matthäus said.