Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann and former Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp have come to the defense of Florian Wirtz following his difficult start in the Premier League. Wirtz joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in a club record transfer worth £116 million ($154 million) during the summer.
Despite his potential, Wirtz has struggled to assert himself at Liverpool as he did in Leverkusen, where he excelled under Xabi Alonso, winning the Bundesliga without a loss. Recently, he was benched during Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea before the international break.
Support from Nagelsmann for Wirtz
Julian Nagelsmann has publicly supported Wirtz, emphasizing the midfielder’s role in the German national squad. Wirtz scored an impressive free-kick against Northern Ireland and played the full 90 minutes in the 4-0 victory over Luxembourg in September.
Nagelsmann stated, “Even though he hasn’t scored any goals, he is still the player who creates the most chances in the Premier League.” He further noted that Wirtz’s teammates are responsible for converting these chances. The German coach acknowledged the need for Wirtz to adapt to the Premier League while praising his talent and potential.
Klopp’s Assessment of Wirtz as a ‘Once-in-a-Century Talent’
Jürgen Klopp defended Wirtz amid intense scrutiny following Liverpool’s three consecutive defeats to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, and Galatasaray. Klopp expressed that the criticism surrounding Wirtz has been exaggerated, pointing out, “His quality is so outstanding.”
He provided context to the team’s struggles, suggesting that losses can lead to increased pressure on players. Klopp remarked, “[Wirtz is] a once-in-a-century talent, and at some point he’ll demonstrate that in every game again — just as he did at Leverkusen.”
Upcoming Matches and Expectations
Liverpool is set to resume Premier League action against Manchester United on Sunday. Wirtz will be eager to showcase his skills and validate the faith that both Nagelsmann and Klopp have placed in him.
- Player: Florian Wirtz
- Transfer Fee: £116 million ($154 million)
- Previous Club: Bayer Leverkusen
- Current Coach (Liverpool): Jürgen Klopp
- Next Match: Against Manchester United
