Football
Florian Wirtz equals Sadio Mane record as Liverpool outclass Brentford
Florian Wirtz was unstoppable as Liverpool secured a 2-1 win over Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Still finding his feet in the Premier League, Wirtz retained his place in the starting lineup despite heavy criticism in recent weeks over his performance.
The Germany international repaid his manager’s faith by matching an all-time Liverpool Premier League record last achieved by Sadio Mane.
To date, no Liverpool player on record – since data became available in the 2003-04 season – has ever made more key passes in a single Premier League match than Wirtz against Brentford on Saturday.
Wirtz created nine chances for Liverpool against Brentford, same number Sadio Mane recorded for the Reds against Burnley in January 2021.
Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz warming up before the Premier League match against Brentford . Picture date: Saturday October 17, 2026. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
Not since 2011 had a Premier League player created so many chances in an away game, though; Samir Nasri managed 10 for Manchester City against Tottenham Hotspur 15 years ago.
Wirtz also found himself three key passes short of matching the all-time record for the most chances created in one Premier League game, set by Mesut Ozil for Arsenal against Sunderland in 2017.
However, the 23-year-old will be pleased with his performance. He has now managed 20 direct goal involvements in 58 Liverpool games – seven of his own and 13 assists.
Wirtz has set up three goals in nine matches in the 2025-26 season. However, he is still awaiting his first goal of the season in any competition.
Liverpool will host Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday and Wirtz is expected to retain his place in the starting eleven.