Liverpool fans may be frustrated, but Jurgen Klopp isn’t losing faith. After a disappointing start to the season from £116 million man Florian Wirtz, the legendary former Reds manager has stepped forward with a strong message — urging fans to keep believing in the German wonderkid. While the pressure mounts and critics circle, Klopp reminded everyone why Wirtz is still one of football’s brightest young stars, calling him “a once-in-a-century talent” who will soon silence every doubt with his brilliance.
Despite the chatter in the UK over Wirtz’s form, former Liverpool boss Klopp has sent out a strong message to Liverpool fans, while defending the German star. Speaking to Sport.de, the legendary manager said: “His quality is so outstanding. The discussions are a bit exaggerated. Liverpool just lost three games in a row, which is unusual. But that’s also normal in life. And that’s why such things are discussed there. Now I’ve been in the middle of such discussions long enough and can say: nothing could interest people there less than the public discussions. [Wirtz is] a once-in-a-century talent, and at some point he’ll show that in every game again, just as he did at Leverkusen.”
Wirtz has Nagelsmann’s support
Not just Klopp, but Wirtz also has the backing of Germany national team head coach Julian Nagelsmann, as the 38-year-old fiercely defended the midfielder amid all the negative talk. Ahead of Germany’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland next week, Nagelsmann Sport 1: “Even if he hasn’t scored a goal, he’s the player who creates the most chances in the Premier League. It’s not his fault if his team-mate doesn’t create them, and the statistic isn’t even a third of the truth. He simply has to get used to the league. I’ve seen him feel completely liberated. He knows what he’s capable of and how things work. Not everything has always been handed to him – he’ll work hard now, too.”
Wirtz will hope to regain form
Wirtz is looking to build up some form during the international break with Germany. The four-time world champions registered back-to-back World Cup 2026 qualification wins, having opened up their campaign last month with a surprise 2-0 loss in Slovakia. They, however, quickly bounced back with a 3-1 home triumph over Northern Ireland and then thrashed Luxembourg 4-0 on Friday night.
The European heavyweights now seek a third successive victory when they travel to Windsor Park in Belfast on Monday night. The Liverpool star netted in the reverse fixture against the Green and White Army and will hope to bag his second qualifying goal on Monday, ahead of the return to domestic duties next weekend.
Arne Slot’s side get their Premier League campaign back underway by welcoming rivals Manchester United as they seek to end their current losing streak. The reigning English champions have lost their last three competitive fixtures, with a 1-0 Champions League defeat to Galatasaray sandwiched between late Premier League defeats at Crystal Palace and Chelsea. The back-to-back Premier League defeats also led to Arsenal overtaking them in the league table and grabbing pole position.
