Liverpool had cause to celebrate during the international break
Germany's coach Jurgen Klopp congratulates Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz after the UEFA Nations League Group A2 between Germany and Serbia at the Allianz Arena in Munich, southern Germany on October 1, 2026. (Photo by Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP via Getty Images)
Jurgen Klopp was delighted with Florian Wirtz's performance (Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool fans may have witnessed the rebirth of one of their biggest stars. The international break is entering its third and final week before Premier League football resumes, with Liverpool hosting Manchester City on Sunday, October 11.
Andoni Iraola's side have had numerous players representing their countries in the Nations League, with Rio Ngumoha making a splash with England. The teenager has certainly made his mark on Thomas Tuchel's squad and it's easy to understand why after he opened up about his mentality.
Florian Wirtz was the big winner earlier this week after the Reds star put in a match-winning display in a 2-0 win against Serbia that left fans eagerly anticipating his return to Merseyside. It has been a testing start to the campaign for the £116million signing, but the upturn in form could be precisely what the 23-year-old requires to truly make his mark at Anfield.
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Ngumoha's England ambition
Liverpool forward Rio Ngumoha made his England debut on Tuesday
Liverpool forward Rio Ngumoha is the third-youngest player to feature in a competitive match for England(Image: Getty Images)
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Rio Ngumoha took another significant step forward in his burgeoning career when the 18-year-old lined up in England's 2-0 triumph against Czechia earlier this week, marking his competitive debut for the Three Lions. The Liverpool winger became the nation's third-youngest competitive debutant, behind only Wayne Rooney (17 years and 156 days) and Jude Bellingham (17 years and 269 days).
Yet it was a debut that Ngumoha confessed he always believed would come.
Speaking to ITV Sport, the teenager revealed the extent of his self-belief and determination. He said: "I definitely had the confidence and the belief to think that I could definitely wear an England shirt at 18. Did I think it'd be the first camp? Maybe not, but I definitely knew one day I'd play when I was pretty young."
Discussing his future aspirations, the young Liverpool star added: "Jude is already probably the best midfielder in the world at this point. He definitely believed he would play for England at 17, same as Wayne Rooney. What he did for his club, his country, hopefully, I can do the same. It's going to be a good journey, I think."
Klopp's masterplan for Wirtz
Jurgen Klopp and Florian Wirtz celebrate
Jurgen Klopp placed Florian Wirtz in an important role against Serbia(Image: Getty Images)
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Jurgen Klopp's first victory as Germany manager came as Florian Wirtz starred in the 2-0 triumph at home to Serbia. The Liverpool star's effort in the 39th minute struck the post with Tom Bischof converting the rebound, before he netted a superb goal himself to extend the advantage in the second half and register his first goal of the 2026/27 campaign.
Adding to the occasion, Wirtz was handed the captain's armband following Serge Gnabry's second-half substitution. The attacking midfielder acknowledged that Klopp's system - with Aleksandar Pavlovic and Bischof operating behind him - gave him the freedom to thrive.
In what could serve as a blueprint for Iraola as he looks to get the best out of Wirtz at club level, the Germany international said after the match: "We got almost everything right today. Wearing the captain's armband is something special."
And in what could well be a demand for his Liverpool team-mates, Wirtz spoke of the ease with which he was able to play because of the constant running the players around him were doing. He explained: "It makes you proud. I just tried to give everything I had on the pitch.
"The players around me also made it very easy for me today. There was a lot of movement in our game, and we were all eager to play football. That makes it easier to shine."