Florian Wirtz's £116million move to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen has yet to yield the expected returns, with just seven goals and 11 assists in 55 appearances. As the debate around his best position continues, Germany manager Jurgen Klopp has adopted a distinctly personal approach to coaxing out the Leverkusen version of the playmaker—an approach Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola might learn from.
Klopp's arm-around-the-shoulder strategy
Klopp, who took charge of Germany this summer, handed Wirtz the captaincy for the Nations League match against Greece on Sunday, giving the 23-year-old a free role in a three-man midfield. The match ended 0-0, with Wirtz left frustrated, but the previous game showed signs of progress.
In Germany's 2-0 win over Serbia—Klopp's only victory in four matches—Wirtz was the architect. After inadvertently setting up the opening goal by hitting the post, he calmly chopped onto his right foot and buried his finish in the bottom corner, displaying the technical ability he was renowned for at Leverkusen.
A contrast in club form
Having failed to score or assist in six games for Liverpool this season, Wirtz managed one of each within 90 minutes for his country. Iraola faces a problem in extracting the best from a player whose red-hot form at Leverkusen came in Xabi Alonso's counter-attacking structure—a style Liverpool, as favourites in most Premier League games, are rarely afforded.
Klopp's approach has been built on personal connection. "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."
Confidence as the key
Klopp's words echoed those of Wirtz's father, Hans-Joachim, who oversaw his early development at SV Grün-Weiss Brauweiler: "He simply had fun with football and always had an eye for a better-positioned teammate."
"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," Klopp 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."
After the Greece draw, Klopp was seen chatting to Wirtz with his arm around him, suggesting comfort within the national setup. If that feeling can be replicated at Anfield, it could unlock his full potential—more so than his starting position on the pitch.
