Jurgen Klopp has made his thoughts clear on Florian Wirtz as Liverpool strive to get the best out of the German
Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp thinks he knows how to get the best out of Florian Wirtz(Image: AP Photo/Michael Probst)
View 2 Images
Andoni Iraola may be about to get a helping hand from Jurgen Klopp on how to solve one of the biggest puzzles of his Liverpool reign – how to get the best out of Florian Wirtz.
Following the struggles of last season, when he failed to justify his £116million price tag, the early weeks of this campaign haven't been promising, despite hopes that Iraola's front-footed approach would suit the German.
Jamie Carragher called his display against Bournemouth one of the poorest he'd seen from him in a Liverpool shirt. It was certainly below par, but such comments are hardly going to boost his confidence.
That job now falls to a former Liverpool boss who has never worked with him before but knows his game inside out. Klopp provided a fascinating critique of Wirtz during the World Cup, going in depth on his strengths and how to get the best out of him.
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page
Speaking after Germany's 7-1 drubbing of Curacao, Klopp said: "The important thing is that we involve him in the game.
"There were moments against Curacao when I thought, 'Just give him the ball.' Not even because he was the best passing option, but because, as a team-mate, I want Flo Wirtz to feel good. If I were [Germany defender Nico] Schlotterbeck, I'd just give him the ball five times for no particular reason and see what he does.
"If you really want Flo Wirtz to get into a rhythm, if you want the place to really be buzzing, then give him the ball, because that's when the lad feels completely at home. I was incredibly grateful to him. I thought he was really, really good, especially in how tactically disciplined he was."
Florian Wirtz
It's been a difficult start to the season for Wirtz(Image: Getty Images)
View 2 Images
But crucially, Wirtz needs to be given the ball in the right areas, says Klopp. He was criticised at times last season for his habit of dropping deep too often to get the ball, thereby not having enough impact in the attacking third.
Klopp added: "He can't keep dropping back to his own penalty area, pick up the ball and do everything himself. We have to find situations where we can use him in those positions, because his positioning creates so much space for everyone making runs into those areas."
Klopp has over two weeks to work with Wirtz closely during Germany's round of Nations League games. He has named a bumper squad of 44, which will be split into two, meaning Wirtz is likely to be involved in at least two of the games, with the Netherlands first up tonight.
You can be sure that the current Reds boss will be paying close attention to see if Klopp can crack the code he and Arne Slot have struggled with so far.