Jurgen Klopp has publicly praised Florian Wirtz after the Liverpool forward starred in Germany's 2-0 win over Serbia. Wirtz set up the opening goal for Tom Bischof and then scored his first of the season, securing Klopp's first victory as Germany head coach.
Klopp offered a strong defence of the player, who has faced criticism for a quiet start to the domestic campaign. He explained the difficult context of Wirtz's early days at Anfield, stating the team's priority at that time was not football. The manager believes the player has learned a lot from his first year and is now delivering a very good level physically.
"The way we want to play suits Flo Wirtz," Klopp said. After the match, he added, "I think everyone in Liverpool is very happy today." The forward received a bear hug from his manager following the final whistle.
What this means for Liverpool
The international break offers a timely chance for Wirtz to regain form. Liverpool supporters will be hoping his newfound momentum from the national team translates to the Anfield setup. The Reds sit sixth in the Premier League with nine points from five games, six points behind leaders Manchester City. Their next fixture is a major test, hosting City at Anfield on Sunday, October 11. The last meeting between the sides ended in a heavy defeat for Liverpool, a result they will be desperate to overturn. Klopp's public backing provides a clear vote of confidence for Wirtz ahead of that key clash.
First reported at Daily Mail Sport
