After a positive international break with Germany, Florian Wirtz is facing a challenge to stay in Jurgen Klopp's team, with the manager having to make a huge decision sooner or later
Germany's coach Jurgen Klopp congratulates Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz after the UEFA Nations League Group A2 between Germany and Serbia
Jurgen Klopp has a huge decision to make with Florian Wirtz(Image: (Photo by Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP via Getty Images))
Jurgen Klopp may soon be forced to pick between Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, as the Germany head coach faces a difficult decision for the future of his team.
It follows an interesting three-week international break, one which saw the former Liverpool boss return to management for the first time in over two years to continue his coaching career.
The extended break wasn't without its challenges, as Germany was pegged back late by the Netherlands to draw its opening game of the UEFA Nations League, before a frustrating defeat to Greece.
A win against Serbia was then backed up by a goalless draw against Greece to round off the first four of six fixtures in the group, leaving Klopp with plenty to ponder in his first taste of international management.
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In two of those games, Liverpool star Wirtz was given a start as he looked to pick up some momentum over the break. He managed to score in the win over Serbia, while he captained the team in the draw with Greece, looking closer to his best in those matches.
The circumstances of that international window was different than others, however, with the combination of the September and October spells extending the length of the national team camps and the games they had to play - doubling them from two matches to four over the past three weeks.
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In rather inventive fashion, Klopp decided to use that time to his advantage, calling up two different squads to get a look at as many players as possible. In group one was Musiala, who would take up the number ten role, while group two had Wirtz, who would take up that same position.
However, injury to the former meant an early call-up for the latter, while Klopp's confirmation that only one squad will be picked for November means a huge decision to be made about which player will be starting there. For Lothar Matthaus, the answer would be to play the pair together, though he doesn't believe Klopp will make that decision.
Jamal Musiala of Germany celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with teammate Florian Witz during the international friendly match between Germany and Finland
Jurgen Klopp has a decision to make with Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala(Image: (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images))
Speaking to BILD, the former Germany star said: "If it were up to me, I’d be happy to see Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz play together. Klopp confirmed in the game against Greece that Wirtz can, in principle, also play on the left wing under him. But with Kimmich as the only holding midfielder, the Musiala-Wirtz duo would be too attacking against top opposition.
"That leaves Klopp with a choice in his system: Musiala or Wirtz? The Bayern and Liverpool players are probably our best players when they return to top form. Leaving one of them out therefore sounds absurd.”
It remains to be seen whether Klopp will find a way to get both players in the team, or whether he will opt to rotate the pair for different challenges along the way.
The fact that the former Liverpool boss gave Wirtz the captaincy in his appearances, however, suggests a show of faith that he will be a huge part of the team moving forward.
It's a case that the manager will be considering over the next month, with some time left to make a decision before two crunch UEFA Nations League matches.