PreviewFlorian Wirtz interview: Why 'momentum and an energy' are needed for Brighton and beyond
The Reds make the journey to the south coast having qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League in style by beating the Turkish side 4-0 at Anfield on Wednesday night.
A last-eight meeting with Paris Saint-Germain awaits next month but a Premier League visit to Brighton is next up, followed by the March international break, and Wirtz is eager for Liverpool to sustain the positivity generated in midweek.
The No.7 told Liverpoolfc.com: “Yes, it will be very important for us, also for our mind and also for the spirit in the team that we just create momentum and also an energy that we can win all the games now.
“It’s always good to have a better feeling and also a better atmosphere in the changing room because when you don’t win the team is not really happy.
“So, it’s always better to win and of course we need the points as well so we will be ready for the game and try to take the three points home.”
After a brief spell on the sidelines due to a back issue, Wirtz has started the Reds’ last three matches and set a new record in the resounding victory over Galatasaray.
The Germany playmaker created eight chances – the most by a Liverpool player in a Champions League fixture Opta has on record since 2003-04.
“It was a bit annoying with my back because it first was away, then came back again. But now I am fine, I feel good and I’m happy that I can keep on going where I stopped before the injury,” he said.
“These stats are nice, always good to know and to speak about. But, for me, always the most important thing is that the team does good. But when I can help like this, to create chances to score, then I’m happy.
“I think it was very important to put in intensity like we did on Wednesday. I think that was needed to come through this round [and] we are very happy that we put so much effort into the game and got a good result in the end.”
The Round of 16 second leg was played out amid a superb European-night atmosphere at Anfield and Wirtz added: “It’s true that that was special this day.
“It really gave you energy on the pitch because they were shouting from the first second on and also it helped us a bit to support us when the Galatasaray players were staying on the floor or something like that.
“So, it’s always good to work together as one in the stadium and I’m very thankful for the fans to support us like that.”