Florian Wirtz scored for Germany and captained Die Mannschaft this week under Jurgen Klopp, but the discourse about the Liverpool playmaker is unlikely to go away
Florian Wirtz of Germany has faced criticism during his Liverpool career
Florian Wirtz of Germany has faced criticism during his Liverpool career(Image: Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
Germany legend Oliver Bierhoff says Liverpool playmaker Florian Wirtz would fit in well at Barcelona, though there is no suggestion that he will be moving anywhere.
The former Bayer Leverkusen man, who arrived last summer for a fee that could reach $157 million (£116 million) including add-ons, was criticized heavily by Jamie Carragher before the international break when he struggled against Bournemouth, but Wirtz has shown some promising signs while representing his country in the last week or so.
When he returns to the club game, the spotlight will be on the 23-year-old again to show that he can translate that seeming improvement under Jurgen Klopp into Andoni Iraola's plans.
"Wirtz would fit in well, for example, at Hansi Flick's Barcelona, where he’ll have space and fantastic teammates," Bierhoff said.
The 58-year-old went on to describe Wirtz as "a world-class player who now needs to prove it once again with consistent performances and by making his mark."
So far this term, Wirtz has registered just one assist in six club appearances. He is likely to remain in the starting XI when the Reds take on Manchester City this weekend.
Florian Wirtz has been closer to his best for Germany over the international break
Florian Wirtz has been closer to his best for Germany over the international break(Image: (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images))
"The way we want to play fits Flo Wirtz," Klopp told reporters after the Liverpool ace scored for Germany against Serbia last week. "I believe that everyone in Liverpool is very happy today. The boy is bursting with joy for the game and has worked his butt off."
Asked what he liked about his side’s performance more generally, Klopp replied: "Everything. The opening phase, the middle part, and the end.
"Our positioning in the penalty box was incredible. Having the courage to do that: we can take all kinds of liberties and risks when we win the ball back together.
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"Everyone was there in our pressing moments. The back line defended brilliantly on the front foot. We were outstanding without the ball, and with the ball we played wonderful football.
"That has to be our baseline. Whether we can always reproduce that remains to be seen. This game goes into my archive. It’s the next step in our development. We’re learning, after all. Learning under pressure."
Wirtz's commitments with Germany are now over for this international break. He will take on Serbia and the Netherlands again during the November edition.
Liverpool.com says: Wirtz clearly has talent and if Klopp is to be a success with Germany, he will need the attacking midfielder to be right at the heart of everything. At club level, his confidence has been low, but perhaps his goal this week can help fix that.