Jurgen Klopp names his first Germany squad on 17 September, which changes the weight of anything he says about Florian Wirtz.
He isn’t a pundit at a padel tournament in Mallorca any more.
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He’s the man who decides whether Wirtz starts against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on 24 September.
The trigger was Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Newcastle, Andoni Iraola’s first league game in charge.
Wirtz was taken off on 63 minutes, and Szoboszlai won and converted the stoppage-time penalty that rescued the point.
By Monday Night Football, Jamie Carragher was saying he couldn’t see where Wirtz fits at all, that the midfield doesn’t work with those personnel, and that Liverpool’s window might end up one of the worst ever.
In his Telegraph column he put a number on it, reckoning Wirtz’s value has dropped by £80m.
Gary Neville called Wirtz and Isak too nice and said the German needed a rocket up him.
Klopp, asked about all of it said to Sky Germany via Sport1, “I think Liverpool, at least, have absolutely understood where he actually needs to play.”
“That is, of course, CENTRALLY, in the half spaces, the pockets where he needs to operate.”
“But Flo also has to learn, of course.”
“He has to play in such a way that, in the end, the manager doesn’t even consider taking him off.”
“That’s just how it is.”
“We can’t help him with that.
“I think they [Liverpool] will learn how to integrate him, and Flo simply has to play his game.”
“That’s what it’s about.”
“And I’d like to give him the opportunity to do that at some point.”
“But anyone who wants to play for us HAS TO BE ABLE to counter press.”
”I played Shinji Kagawa as a No. 10. He didn’t make a single tackle and was still one of the best counter pressing players I’ve ever had.”
“It’s not about physicality.”
“It’s about wanting to contribute in that respect as well.”
“From a footballing point of view, he is beyond any doubt, for me and for everyone else too.”
“But Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville and so on are, of course, always the first ones to get nervous in England.”
The line about the manager not even considering taking him off is the sharpest bit, and it’s aimed at Wirtz rather than Iraola.
Klopp doesn’t argue with the substitution at St James’ Park.
He wants his player to make it unthinkable.
Then Kagawa.
Klopp defends Wirtz and sets a condition in the same breath.
Kagawa was slight, quiet, and won two Bundesliga titles at Dortmund by knowing which passing lane to shut rather than by winning duels.
Klopp told his unveiling in Frankfurt that counter-pressing would be one of the pillars of his Germany.
He’s just made clear that applies to his most gifted player too.
Five goals and three assists in 33 Premier League games last season is the number Carragher keeps returning to.
The 17 September squad will show what Klopp really thinks.
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