Jürgen Klopp, now leading the German national team, just came out swinging for Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz. This isn’t just a casual defense; it’s a direct response to some pretty pointed criticism, including a sarcastic jab from German legend Toni Kroos that has put the young playmaker in a tough spot.
Kroos’s Wild Podcast Jab Ignites the Fire
Toni Kroos didn’t hold back, delivering a sarcastic jab at Wirtz on his ‘Einfach Mal Luppen’ podcast, which he hosts with his brother, Felix. The whole thing went down when they were asked to pick three players for Klopp’s new Germany squad who hadn’t represented their nation at the World Cup. Kroos *mockingly* picked Wirtz. His exact words, via the Liverpool Echo, were “(Aleksandr) Pavlovic, (Florian) Wirtz, and (Jamal) Musiala.” His brother Felix even had to clarify, “What? Which World Cup did you guys miss? Oh, (you say that) because they went unnoticed (and it’s as if they weren’t there)?” Ouch, right? This all comes after Wirtz’s £116 million ($156.3 million) transfer from Bayer Leverkusen to the Reds in summer 2025. Scrutiny really ramped up after Germany’s disappointing 2026 FIFA World Cup run, where they got bounced in the round-of-32 on penalties against Paraguay.
Klopp Says Enough is Enough: Focus on the Team
Wirtz definitely felt the heat from that World Cup, where he managed three assists and played in all four matches. And yeah, his debut season on Merseyside saw him put up seven goals and eight assists across 49 appearances. He’s already got one assist in five matches so far this campaign, so it’s not like he’s invisible. Klopp, fully aware of the criticism the 23-year-old has endured, was swift to back him. He’s included Wirtz in the second of two rosters for Germany’s upcoming four UEFA Nations League matches in the extended September/October international window. Klopp’s message is crystal clear: “The communication has been very pleasant. We keep in touch from time to time.” He emphasized Wirtz’s effort, saying, “I think he’s the player who covered the most ground at Liverpool this season, so the willingness is absolutely there.” This isn’t about individual heroics right now. “We have to move away from the idea that we need to see special moments from him. He is there to help us as a team. We have to make sure that Flo feels comfortable with us.”
Klopp wants everyone to remember that “when the team works, then every player shines as a consequence.” He’s basically telling the critics, “You have to be satisfied with a game in which Flo Wirtz gave everything but didn’t have a goal or assist.” It’s all about supporting the player and the team, giving him that feeling, “‘That was more than good enough today. You helped us as a team. We won 1-0 or 2-0.’” With those Nations League matches coming up, it’s going to be huge to see Wirtz play with that kind of backing. Is this the turning point for him to truly shine without all the noise?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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