Germany head coach Jurgen Klopp has defended Liverpool playmaker Florian Wirtz, while admitting he "cannot do more" for the 22-year-old. Wirtz is part of Klopp's squad for the Nations League, with the extended international break now under way.
Slow start at Liverpool
Wirtz has been a regular in Liverpool's starting line-up this season under new manager Andoni Iraola but has yet to score his first goal of the campaign. The playmaker, who joined the Merseyside club in 2025 for £116million, has made six appearances so far this term.
Iraola has predominantly used Wirtz in a No.10 role, with one of his main responsibilities being to supply assists to £125million striker Alexander Isak, who has scored four times in the Premier League this season.
Klopp's explanation
Wirtz's displays at Liverpool have sparked discussion in recent weeks, and Klopp, appointed Germany's new boss during the summer, has offered his thoughts on the possible explanations for Wirtz's current form.
"When you look at the full context, you will find that Florian joined Liverpool at an absolutely unfavourable time," Klopp told reporters on Saturday. "It is related to the death of Diogo Jota. He [Wirtz] joined a team whose players' priority at that time was not football, which is very understandable."
The former Liverpool boss continued: "He learned a lot from his first year [with Liverpool]. Now there is a new season under the leadership of a new coach, and I believe he has started every match. He is delivering a very good level physically, and the team has begun to regain its cohesion once again."
Confidence and playing time
"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 added.
Klopp concluded: "We cannot do more than what we are doing here, by giving him enough training and playing time. Step by step, we give him certainty and a good feeling, and then we return him to Liverpool. I wish him all the best."
Wirtz was included in Klopp's first Germany squad of 44 players but did not feature in the squad that took on the Netherlands on Thursday night. Germany face Greece in a double header in the Nations League during the international break, as well as a home match against Serbia.
