Florian Wirtz: Klopp and German media praise Liverpool man after Greece game
Florian Wirtz returns to Merseyside with his confidence boosted after a 0-0 draw with Greece, following a period where the £116m Reds man has endured indifferent form since his blockbuster move to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen. While he has 18 G/A from 55 appearances for Liverpool, it has not been enough to keep his critics at bay. In the match against Greece, Wirtz created the joint-most chances with three, completed the most dribbles with four, and enjoyed a 90% success rate from 63 passes while winning five out of seven duels.
German Media and Klopp Praise
Following the match against Greece, the German media applauded Wirtz. Bulinews awarded him a 6.5/10 rating, noting that he managed to orchestrate near give-and-move moves around the edge of the box. Goal offered a 7/10 rating, with journalist Moataz Elgammal stating that as captain and focal point, Wirtz proved to be Germany’s most dangerous individual. Additionally, after an earlier 2-0 win over Serbia where Wirtz scored a goal and assisted Tom Bischof, Klopp stated, Everyone in Liverpool should be happy today
and described his display as exceptional
.
Carragher Questions Wirtz as Club Form Dips
Despite praise from the national team, Wirtz faces scrutiny at club level. Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher remains unconvinced, stating on the Jamie Carragher podcast on Sky Sports that Wirtz would not be in his Liverpool team and questioning if the player has another level to reach. Wirtz’s club form contrasts with his international displays, having recorded no goals and just one assist across six appearances in the current campaign, following a first season with seven goals and 10 assists in 49 games.
Next Fixture at Anfield
Next up for Wirtz is a clash against Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday. The fixture marks the visitors’ first outing since the Premier League’s guilty verdict dropped, ensuring a hostile reception on Merseyside as Wirtz looks to carry his international form into the Premier League.