OPINION: Florian Wirtz remains a divisive figure at Liverpool, who paid £116million for his services but are yet to see the best of him, and ex-manager Jurgen Klopp could offer a clue
Florian Wirtz of Germany with Jurgen Klopp, Head Coach of Germany
Florian Wirtz was handed the Germany captaincy by Jurgen Klopp(Image: Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
The debate around Florian Wirtz at Liverpool has tended to revolve around his best position on the pitch.
The Reds splashed out £116million to sign the German from Bayer Leverkusen last summer and have only got seven goals and 11 assists in 55 appearances for their money so far.
"We need a very good version of Florian," Andoni Iraola said in July. "We know what he can give us. I think he's also suited to our game model. I see him more probably in that position behind the striker."
Responding to his manager's assertion in August, Wirtz told reporters: "Of course we've spoken about this. It's important to know which [position] you should play. I know that I can play different positions but probably the number 10 is my favourite and maybe my best position. So we'll see how this works out."
Get YOUR Mirror Football Newsletter
Get our comprehensive football coverage, with news, updates, opinions, analysis and everything that matters to you, straight to your inbox.
To get it, it's a quick and easy one-two:
As Wirtz says, his position is important. But since taking charge of Germany this summer, Jurgen Klopp has taken a noticeably different approach to solving the conundrum of how to coax out the Bayer Leverkusen version of Wirtz.
Klopp showed over his eight and half years at Liverpool that he is master of using emotion. He built a real connection with the club's supporters and he managed to get every ounce of quality out of his players, overseeing the best form of their careers for many.
In typical Klopp fashion, he's adopted the arm-around-the-shoulders approach with Wirtz, who comes across an introvert - which is hardly a surprise for the youngest of 10 siblings.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool
Florian Wirtz is yet to show his best form with Liverpool(Image: James Gill/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Klopp handed Wirtz the Germany captaincy for their Nations League match against Greece on Sunday night, while giving the 23-year-old playmaker a free role in his three-man midfield. Wirtz ended the match annoyed after Greece held out for a 0-0 draw, but the green shoots were there for all to see in the previous game.
Wirtz was the architect of Klopp's one and only win from four matches so far, as they beat Serbia 2-0. After inadvertently setting up the opening goal by hitting the post, Wirtz showed the cool head and technical ability he was renowned for, taking a pass in the box, calmly chopping onto his right foot before burying his finish in the bottom corner.
Having failed to score or assist in six games for Liverpool this season, he had one of each inside 90 minutes for his country.
Iraola undoubtedly has a problem trying to get the best out of Wirtz, whose red-hot best at Leverkusen came in Xabi Alonso's counter-attacking structure. Liverpool aren't often afforded the chance to play like that, given their status as favourites in most Premier League games. But he could take a leaf out of Klopp's book when it comes to motivating his playmaker.
Germany's coach Jurgen Klopp congratulates Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz
Jurgen Klopp is the perfect coach for Florian Wirtz(Image: Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP via Getty Images)
View 3 Images
"We had a few conversations, and he gave me a few things to take on board and try to implement," Wirtz said last week. "I'm glad he spoke with me. It is definitely heading in the right direction."
While he undoubtedly gave his player tactical and technical aspects to work on, Klopp's genius is the personal side of management. "Attacking players always need a team that works well around them. And anyone who loves football can still see how outstanding Florian Wirtz is as a player," he said at the start of the international break.
"We need to make sure Flo feels comfortable here and can fit into the role we envision for him. Hopefully, he'll simply be able to be himself here." His words echoed those of Florian's dad, Hans-Joachim Wirtz, who oversaw his early development at first club SV Grün-Weiss Brauweiler: "He simply had fun with football and always had an eye for a better-positioned teammate."
After the disappointing 0-0 draw with Greece on Sunday, Klopp was seen chatting to Wirtz with his arm around him. It certainly seems as though he is comfortable with the national team.
If that feeling can be replicated at Anfield then it could be the key to unlocking his full potential - more so than his starting position on the pitch.
Join our LFC WhatsApp community and get all the latest LFC news, views, transfer gossip and more, as it happens We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.