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Jürgen Klopp defends struggling Liverpool attacker Florian Wirtz

·By Paul Lindisfarne
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Jürgen Klopp defends struggling Liverpool attacker Florian Wirtz

Liverpool/X.com

Germany manager Jürgen Klopp has defended Liverpool playmaker Florian Wirtz while admitting there is little more he can do beyond providing the midfielder with training and playing time.

Wirtz has started regularly for Liverpool under Andoni Iraola this season but is still waiting for his first goal of the campaign.

The £116 million signing has made six appearances, primarily operating as a number 10 with responsibility for creating opportunities for £125m striker Alexander Isak.

Klopp believes Wirtz's difficult start at Liverpool needs to be viewed in context, particularly given the circumstances surrounding his arrival in 2025.

“When you look at the full context, you will find that Florian joined Liverpool at an absolutely unfavourable time,” Klopp told reporters.

“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.”

Klopp believes Wirtz has continued to develop despite the challenges and has now adapted to another change under Iraola.

“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.”

The Germany boss also pointed to the importance of the players around Wirtz in helping him produce his best football.

“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 that Germany's role is simply to give Wirtz the conditions to regain confidence before returning him to Liverpool.

“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.”