Florian Wirtz has acknowledged that he is still finding his feet after a subdued beginning to life at Liverpool. The 22-year-old admitted the Premier League represents an adjustment and accepted that early expectations have made the opening weeks more challenging.

Pressure intensified during the international break when German media criticised his role in a 2–0 defeat to Slovakia. Wirtz answered those critics with a high-quality strike that completed a 3–1 win over Northern Ireland. He celebrated by pointing to his ear, a gesture that appeared to address his detractors.

After the match, RTL asked whether the move to England had taken its toll, and Wirtz offered a frank assessment. “It’s another league, another type of football,” Wirtz said of his slow start. “I’m happy to be there.” When asked if he believes he will open his account for Liverpool soon, Wirtz added: “I have no idea when I’ll score my first goal, hopefully in the next game, but it will come at some point.”

Against Slovakia Wirtz struggled when used out on the left of Germany’s attack, but he was returned to a more natural attacking midfield position for the Northern Ireland match. In that role he not only scored but created a game-high three chances and won more fouls than any other player on the pitch.

Wirtz will hope to replicate that attacking midfield influence when Liverpool resume Premier League duties away at Burnley at the weekend. That fixture will represent his fifth appearance in a Reds shirt and offers another chance to find consistency in a new league.

Erling Haaland required three stitches to his lip after a luggage compartment door struck him as he left the Norway team coach, and he turned the incident into light-hearted social media banter. The Manchester City striker posted the extent of the damage on Snapchat and did not hide his amusement.

“Just got banged out by a bus door. 3 stitches,” Haaland laughed on Snapchat. The message prompted a stream of comments, including sceptical followers who questioned whether a bus door was truly at fault. Haaland encouraged responses by asking for “wrong answers only”, inviting playful speculation.

One user suggested Arsenal midfielder and Norway captain Martin Ødegaard. Haaland seized the opportunity to poke fun at his long-time teammate and replied: “Correct,” which drew more amusement from his followers.

Beyond the jokes, the factual context is straightforward. Norway sit top of their World Cup qualification group with four wins from as many games and travel to face a Moldova side still searching for their first point. Haaland scored in Norway’s 5–0 win over Moldova in March and arrives at Tuesday’s fixture in strong form, having netted four goals in four games across all competitions for club and country this season.

City and country remain the backdrop to the story: a brief, peculiar injury, a public grin on social media, and a reminder of Haaland’s ongoing scoring form. The incident drew attention because of the unusual cause and Haaland’s readiness to treat it as a moment of humour rather than a setback. On the field, his record this season suggests he will be central to Norway’s hopes as they seek to maintain their perfect qualifying record.

Eberechi Eze described a frenetic summer transfer period but said he never doubted his next step as he completed a move to Arsenal and was unveiled at the Emirates Stadium.

The 27-year-old, a boyhood Arsenal fan who spent time in the club’s academy, moved quickly once the club renewed their interest. Arsenal had held a meeting months earlier where the basic framework for a move was agreed, but the process fell quiet for an extended spell and at one stage it appeared he was close to joining Tottenham Hotspur instead.

Just four days separated news of Arsenal’s bid and Eze’s presentation on the pitch, a swift sequence he said he tried to savour. The introduction at the Emirates Stadium was, he added, a “special” moment for him and his family.

On the uncertainty and media attention, Eze was measured. “Worried? No. Because I play football,” he said. “That’s what I do and wherever I am, I want to be the best I can be and I’m confident I’ll do that wherever I am.

“I’m grateful that it’s Arsenal and that I’ve got the opportunity to play there and do what I do and I’m looking forward to it. There’s a lot going on, it’s fun for me. This is why I play football. These are opportunities that you want. This is for me so I am enjoying it as much as I can. And do what I can.”

Reflecting on the presentation, Eze said he focused on the moment and on what it meant to those closest to him. “I was trying to [take it all in] because as you know, you have that moment and then that it’s gone,” he continued.“I was just there, looking at the crowd and watching everything happen and it was a cool moment—more for my family, seeing what it meant to them. I think that’s the special thing for me.

“For me, now, I’m just excited to play, excited to do my thing on the pitch, to work hard, apply myself and get to doing what I do. There’s been a lot of noise off the pitch but I just want to get down and play.

“And it’s not everyone that gets to experience these types of moments but yeah, I try to enjoy it and take it in my stride as much as possible because there’s always something that is coming. There is always another opportunity and challenge coming so that’s how I see it.”