One of the unfortunate focal points of the start of the season has been the transition of Florian Wirtz from the Bundesliga to the Premier League. The young midfielder has appeared to struggle with the physicality of the English league, and the added fact of his very high price tag certainly doesn’t help the perception of his skills since joining Liverpool. Up until the season started there was almost no argument against his skills, with Wirtz being hailed as a generational talent worthy of his over
100 million rate, so the sudden change in opinion is stark.
Thankfully, there is another well known and level headed German who will always be on Liverpool’s side, and though he’s no longer employed by the club, still entertains questions about how they’re doing. Jürgen Klopp was casually at a padel tournment in Mallorca over the weekend and asked about his opinion of the young signing and why Liverpool might be struggling this early in the season. As the Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull, of course he is keeping an eye on other teams and players, so appeared happy to answer the question for RTL and n-tv.
“I don’t have to worry about Florian Wirtz because the quality is so outstanding. Of course, everything is good and everyone knows that. The discussion is certainly so a bit exaggerated,” Klopp responded when asked about Wirtz’s struggles so far.
Of course, the struggles aren’t limited only to Wirtz, with Liverpool losing three in a row before the international break – yes, I know, we don’t need the reminder. Even Klopp admitted that it was an unusual place for the Reds to be in.
“Right now Liverpool have lost three games in a row – that’s also unfamiliar that something like this happens after a long time. But also normal in life. That’s why these things are being discussed. Now I have been in the middle of such discussions long enough and can tell you: Nothing could interest people less than the public discussions that are being held there. So everything doesn’t matter and everything will be fine,” the former manager said.
Appearing unfazed by the whole thing (and why would he be, it’s not his squad to manage anymore), Klopp continued that “Wirtz is a talent of the century and at some point he will show this again in every game, as he did at Leverkusen.”
“He has a stable environment in Liverpool and the club is great at such moments,” Klopp said, adding with a smile: “If anyone is worried – don’t you have to! You can stop.”
Klopp’s measured reactions to misfortune were a comfort when he was leading the club, and even though he is no longer the steady presence he once was, we should listen to his advice this time too. Stop worrying, let Wirtz come good, and everything will work out.
