Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images
Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images
Florian Wirtz’s international break is over after the Liverpool star captained Germany to a 0-0 draw against Greece on Sunday.
Wirtz has been a key player for Jurgen Klopp during his first four matches as German national team manager, even assuming the captain’s armband for the entirety of Sunday’s game in Thessaloniki.
One goal from three appearances was a decent enough return for Wirtz to take back to Liverpool, and as the £116m man prepares to switch his focus back to club football, Klopp gave his last word on a player who has become a slightly polarising figure at Anfield.
Wirtz
Klopp happy with ‘outstanding’ Wirtz
Klopp began defending Wirtz from criticism even before he joined up with the German camp last month, and the former Liverpool manager, true to form, has continued to back him ever since.
That continued on Sunday, when Klopp handed the 23-year-old the captain’s armband for the second time, following a brief stint as skipper when Serge Gnabry left the pitch in last week’s 2-0 win over Serbia.
And though he was not able to lead his team to three points and a revenge win over Greece, who surprised them with a defeat last week, Kicker report that Klopp was happy with Wirtz, claiming that he delivered another ‘outstanding performance,’ as part of a fluid front two.
No further quotes are provided, but if Klopp were to sum up his first experience of working with the Reds’ No. 7, from everything he has said over the past two weeks, ‘outstanding’ would no doubt be a suitable description.
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Thought he did not trouble the scoresheet, Wirtz seemingly had a quietly effective performance on Sunday evening, creating the joint-most chances in the game (3) and completing the most dribbles (4).
His passing was tidy, finishing with a 90% success rate from 63 attempts, while Wirtz also more than matched the Greeks in duels, winning five out of seven battles. This may not have been the eye-catching performance which got him a goal against Serbia, but it was another step in the right direction regardless.
Wirtz must take Klopp’s confidence back to Liverpool
Having become understandably frustrated with him before his departure for Germany duty, Liverpool fans will be desperate to see Wirtz bring some confidence back with him to Merseyside.
Klopp should be the perfect manager for him, and it is clear that the 59-year-old has taken it upon himself to lift Wirtz back up and inspire him to be the player everyone knows he can be.
For Wirtz, he now has the ideal occasion to show what he has learnt, as Liverpool face Manchester City on Sunday. It should be the perfect stage for him to display a new version of himself.
If he cannot do that, the knives will perhaps sharpen once again for him. He was outshone by Rayan Cherki when the Reds faced City last season, and if he does not show up and that happens again, it will be another big stick to beat him with.
Hopefully Wirtz can come back with Klopp’s praise ringing in his ears and show the benefits that working with such an inspirational manager can bring. It is certainly about time.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool DP
Liverpool DP
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images