Florian Wirtz
Image Credits: Getty Images
Florian Wirtz started for Germany on Sunday as the hosts in Stuttgart fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of France in the third-place UEFA Nations League play-off clash.
Germany struggled to convert opportunities against a clinical French side, with Kylian Mbappé opening the scoring in first-half stoppage time after controlling Aurélien Tchouaméni’s long pass and curling a finish past Marc-André ter Stegen.
Michael Olise sealed the win in the 84th minute with a tap-in.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side saw a potential equalizer from Deniz Undav ruled out by VAR for a foul in the buildup, while Wirtz came closest for Germany when his 36th-minute effort struck the post
With international duty now complete for Wirtz, it is believed that his transfer to Anfield will now accelerate.
Despite the Bundesliga club rejecting a third bid of €134 million (£113 million) on June 8, negotiations entered their final phase with a fourth “take-it-or-leave-it” offer expected imminently.
Personal terms are already agreed, with Wirtz set to sign a five-year contract worth up to €22 million annually (£340,000 weekly).
But it appears that the attacker’s performance vs France did not get those in his homeland too excited – with German media suggesting he was not at his best.
German outlet RAN.de gave the Liverpool target a 3/5 and wrote:
The Leverkusen player is busy, makes a lot of moves and shapes the game with some creative moments, especially in the first half hour. His shot against the post in the 36th minute is indicative of the very poor conversion of chances by the German team. After that, the game tilts in the direction of the French, without Wirtz being able to counteract effectively
Meanwhile, BILD gave Wirtz a 4/5 but explained that he was not his usual self:
Another performance with light and shadow from the still Leverkusen player. Weak free kick into the wall. Missed the 1-0 after 36 minutes because his ball landed on the post. Not the magician, not the driver, as has often been the case in Leverkusen recently.
After a long club season, it Wirtz and his compatriots can be forgiven for not showing their best self in a third-place play-off match.
Hopefully the 22-year-old is able to now get some rest and arrive at the AXA Training Centre refreshed and ready to put his best foot forward in a Liverpool shirt.