Klopp Backs Wirtz
Jürgen Klopp Defends Florian Wirtz Amid Growing Scrutiny Over Liverpool Form
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Key Points
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Wirtz started all four of Germany’s World Cup matches and recorded three assists, but Germany were eliminated by Paraguay in a round-of-32 penalty shootout.
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Klopp said Germany’s 44-player squad was split because the expanded international break involves four matches in two weeks; he described the groups as balanced teams rather than an “A-team” and a “B-team.”
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Klopp said Wirtz has covered more ground than any other Liverpool player this season, arguing that his willingness and all-round effort should be recognized even when he does not score or assist.
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Toni Kroos’s podcast remark was framed as sarcasm: when asked which players he wanted to see in the Germany squad despite missing the World Cup, he named Wirtz, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Jamal Musiala, prompting his brother Felix to joke that they had gone unnoticed.
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Bayern Munich had considered signing Wirtz before Liverpool completed his move from Bayer Leverkusen, adding a major domestic rival to the transfer background surrounding the midfielder.
Jürgen Klopp has defended Florian Wirtz against mounting criticism over his limited goals and assists since Liverpool paid $125 million for the 23-year-old midfielder from Bayer Leverkusen. Bavarian Football Works reported that Klopp, now Germany's head coach, insisted Wirtz's work rate and team contribution matter more than scoring highlights, urging supporters to give the young midfielder time to settle into his new role.
The scrutiny intensified after Germany's disappointing 2026 World Cup elimination and Toni Kroos's sarcastic podcast jab at Wirtz's tournament performances. Klopp split Germany's squad into two groups for an extended four-match break, with Wirtz assigned to avoid the opening fixtures against the Netherlands and Greece — a move some interpreted as a loss of faith in the Liverpool star.
Klopp Praises Wirtz's Work Rate Over Statistics
Klopp argued that Wirtz's value extends far beyond goals and assists. Anfield Index reported the Germany coach defended his £116 million signing, saying that statistics alone don't capture a player's full contribution. Klopp stressed that Wirtz has covered more ground than any other Liverpool player this season, demonstrating his willingness and all-round effort on the pitch.
Bavarian Football Works noted that Klopp does not want Wirtz defined solely by those traditional metrics. Instead, the manager emphasized the midfielder's commitment to team play and his defensive contributions, arguing that supporters should recognize the full scope of his performance rather than focusing only on
Germany Squad Split Creates Controversy Around Wirtz
Klopp named an unusually large 44-player Germany squad and divided it into two balanced groups for the international break. This Is Anfield reported that Wirtz was assigned to the second group, allowing him to report late and avoid Germany's first two matches. Klopp framed the split as a practical solution for four matches in two weeks — not a judgment on the players involved.
The move sparked speculation that Klopp had lost faith in the Liverpool midfielder. Critics pointed to Wirtz's World Cup numbers: three assists across all four matches, but Germany crashed out to Paraguay in a penalty shootout. Some observers saw the squad split as a subtle way to reduce Wirtz's playing time early in the international window.
Toni Kroos Takes Sarcastic Jab at Wirtz's World Cup
Former Germany star Toni Kroos mocked Wirtz's World Cup performances on his podcast. When asked which players should feature for Germany despite missing the tournament, Kroos named Wirtz alongside Aleksandar Pavlovic and Jamal Musiala — a sarcastic remark that prompted his brother Felix to joke the trio had gone unnoticed.
The comment reflected frustration with Germany's World Cup campaign and fueled renewed debate about Wirtz's readiness for a leading role at international level. Wirtz started all four World Cup matches but failed to deliver knockout-stage performances, raising questions about whether his €100 million Liverpool move had affected his confidence and consistency.
Bayern Munich's Failed Pursuit Adds Subtext to Liverpool Move
Bayern Munich had also pursued Wirtz before Liverpool completed the transfer from Bayer Leverkusen. The Bavarian club's interest added a major domestic rivalry element to the deal, with Germany's biggest team missing out on one of the country's brightest talents. Klopp's defense of Wirtz may also reflect his desire to protect a player caught between intense scrutiny and the weight of his price tag.
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