Florian Wirtz has been a regular figure in the Liverpool team this season under Andoni Iraola, but the £116million signing is yet to score his first goal of the campaign
Germany manager Jurgen Klopp has leapt to the defence of Liverpool star Florian Wirtz, whilst also admitting he “cannot do more” for the playmaker. Wirtz is part of Klopp’s Germany squad for the Nations League, with the extended international break now in full swing.
Wirtz has regularly been part of the Liverpool starting line-up this season under their new manager, Andoni Iraola, but has yet to score his first goal of the campaign. The playmaker, who signed for the Merseyside outfit in 2025 for £116million, has made six appearances so far this term.
Iraola has used Wirtz in a No.10 role more often than not this season, with one of his main responsibilities to supply assists to £125million striker Alexander Isak, who has scored four times in the Premier League so far this season.
Wirtz’s displays at Liverpool this season have sparked discussion in recent weeks, and Klopp – who was appointed Germany’s new boss during the summer – has offered his thoughts on the possible explanations for Wirtz’s current form.
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“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,” Klopp added. “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.
“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 then concluded by saying: “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 in his role as the country’s national team manager, but did not feature in the squad that took on the Netherlands on Thursday night.
Germany have a double header against Greece in the Nations League during the international break, as well as a home match against Serbia.