Florian Wirtz has been told how important it is to have Jurgen Klopp as his Germany manager, with the scrutiny surrounding his club form.
The 23-year-old is without a goal and has laid on just one assist in five matches for Liverpool in all competitions for Liverpool this season.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool in action during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Fulham at Anfield4
Iraola has dismissed £116million man Wirtz’s lack of goals and assists
New Reds head coach Andoni Iraola has already come out in defence of his No.7 by claiming that he is not 'too focused on numbers'.
However, the reality is that Liverpool fans expected much more since Wirtz made his £116million switch to Liverpool in the summer of 2025.
The German was one of only two players, alongside Mohamed Salah, to both score and assist 10 or more goals in each category in Europe’s big five leagues across the last two seasons (prior to arriving at Anfield).
His run came to an end during his first year in the Premier League, in which he managed nine combined goal contributions in 33 games.
Wirtz, who has at least covered more distance than any Liverpool player in the last four matches, is yet to translate his work off the ball into game-state-altering moments on it.
Jason Cundy not convinced by Florian Wirtz
“Wirtz has been here now, right, this is his second season,” Cundy said on talkSPORT's GameDay Phone-In.
“I am not convinced that Wirtz is going to be a success. I think I might have seen enough of Wirtz.”
Klopp calls out Carragher's criticism of Wirtz
Cundy's sentiments echo those made by Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, who claimed he doesn't see where Wirtz fits into the team.
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Klopp said in response: "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."
Alexander Isak (C) and Florian Wirtz of Liverpool look on next to manager Andoni Iraola during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco at Anfield on August 09, 2026 in Liverpool4
Alexander Isak (C) and Florian Wirtz of Liverpool look on next to manager Andoni Iraola during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco at Anfield on August 09, 2026 in Liverpool
It is far from the first time Klopp has hit back at criticism of his compatriot, having previously called him 'a once-in-a-century talent'.
The 59-year-old will now have the chance to run the rule over Wirtz himself, having been appointed Germany's new manager - his first return to the touchline since leaving Liverpool 28 months ago.
Klopp 'really important' to Wirtz
Speaking about the potential impact Klopp's arrival could have on Wirtz's form, European football expert Andy Brassell told talkSPORT.com: "It's really important to him.
"I think it's really important to Germany at the moment as well, because of course there's an element of doubt over Jamal Musiala.
"He's found it hard to come back from that big injury. He's had these neurological issues in recent weeks slash months as well.
"So whether he'll be well enough to be called up for international duty is a big question. So for that reason, I mean, when you go back to the 2024 Euros, Germany looked pretty good with that dual number 10 pairing of Musiala and Wirtz.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool rues a missed opportunity during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 9, 20264
Cundy admitted he is not convinced that Wirtz is going to be a success
"That feels like a really long time ago now. If there's only going to be one number 10, it's got to be Wirtz.
"So everything has got to go through him. It feels to me that, in terms of his club, because there's been so much change at Liverpool, his role has been not that clearly defined in a way that's not massively helpful to someone who's trying to settle in English football.
Wirtz will get there with Liverpool
"I still believe he'll get there with Liverpool, but it's proven more difficult, that's for sure. He obviously arrived with a lot of pressure on him and a huge expectation of being a star and all the rest of it.
"But I think we've seen with creative players, they've been given that bit of freedom by Klopp.
" And certainly that's something that he was given by Xabi Alonso as well at Leverkusen, which was a huge part of his platform, a huge part of his ability to excel at Leverkusen.
"So I guess the question is, do you play him with another number 10 type guy? My guess is probably no, but I would think Nadiem Amiri would be a candidate for that of mine.
Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak4
Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak both failed to hit double figures in the Premier League last term
"Quite a physical midfielder, but again someone who's good at creating his own shot, as you would say in basketball.
"Definitely someone who is a sort of independent creator. I think the two of them next to each other would be quite interesting.
"We know that Klopp is someone who wants to grab the ball by the horns.
"So hopefully that suits Florian Wirtz because it would be good for Liverpool as well as good for him and good for Germany."