Liverpool star Florian Wirtz will feature for Germany over the international break, with Jurgen Klopp making a quick decision surrounding the playmaker after an injury to Kai Havertz
Jurgen Klopp, Head Coach of Germany, reacts during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Netherlands and Germany
Jurgen Klopp has had to make a quick decision with Florian Wirtz(Image: (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images))
Jurgen Klopp has called Florian Wirtz up to the Germany squad earlier than he anticipated, according to reports, with the Liverpool star now set to join his teammates for the coming weeks of the international break.
The 23-year-old was included in a 44-man squad picked by the new head coach, who had planned to use two separate groups of players across the four matches, during an extended period of international games.
Wirtz was named in the second group, which meant that he was set to miss out on games against the Netherlands and Greece, before joining up with Klopp for a clash with Serbia and then Greece in a second game between the two nations. However, injury issues in the team after a meeting with the Netherlands mean that the head coach has had to draft in some extra players early.
Kai Havertz suffered a hamstring issue during the draw 1-1 with the Oranje on Thursday, while Jamal Musiala is also suffering from a muscular injury, which has resulted in both players leaving the camp earlier than expected to be assessed by their respective clubs.
In response, Sky Germany reports that Wirtz has been called up early, alongside Eintracht Frankfurt forward Jonathan Burkardt, meaning both will be available for the next three games.
It gives the Liverpool star some extra time to work under Klopp, with plenty of supporters hoping that the former manager can help find a spark in the playmaker that has been absent in his time with the Reds so far.
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Following a move worth roughly $150 million, Wirtz has struggled to find some form, picking up just seven goals and ten assists in 49 appearances across all competitions last season.
While there was some expectation that some adjustment is needed, the 23-year-old hasn't hit the ground running so far this season, picking up just one assist across six appearances so far.
Despite pressure ramping up over the player having to secure more output, Klopp has already defended him, saying in his initial press conference: "We have to move away from the idea that we need to see special moments from him. He is there to help us as a team. We have to make sure that Flo feels comfortable with us.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid
Florian Wirtz has been slammed by a former Liverpool star(Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))
"When the team works, then every player shines as a consequence. You have to be satisfied with a game in which Flo Wirtz gave everything but didn't have a goal or assist.
"We simply have to give the boy the feeling: 'That was more than good enough today. You helped us as a team. We won 1-0 or 2-0'. And then all the experts sit there and discuss why it still didn't work out for him.
"There are just as many reasons to say: 'He is performing perfectly fine.' Now we'll take the next steps together. That applies for Flo and all the others."
There is still time for Wirtz to get back to his best from his time at Bayer Leverkusen and produce those special moments, even though Klopp has tried to reduce the pressure for him to do that. With a huge couple of weeks ahead, the international break could provide exactly what the playmaker needs to recapture some momentum.