The International break has handed out the usual dismay with both Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo reported to be returning early to AXA for injury assessments but one positive could be struggling Wirtz’s time away with Jurgen Klopp and the German national team.
This writer isn’t interested in piling more pressure onto any Liverpool player who is obviously not playing at their very best because in life it’s not something that, in my opinion, actually helps the person struggling. Through many moments
I have been in that situation and encouragement has been a far greater aid then being measured by another’s expectations void of empathy.
The only exception to this is if someone is obviously not even trying and in a career such as football it would be simple to see in both the training and the actual matches. Wirtz is not a person who isn’t bothering and he isn’t hiding on the pitch yet he also isn’t getting the goals and assists that we all hoped would be happening immediately. The recent insights from former Reds Andy Robertson shone a light on what Wirtz and other new signings two summer’s ago faced when joining a club (especially the squad) that was grieving the tragic loss of a teammate and friend Diogo Jota.
Jurgen Klopp has moved on from managing Liverpool and so head coach Andoni Iraola’s decision carries the true weight on any of the players and their performances but Klopp does hold his former club close to his heart and had some words to share on Wirtz and his time away with the German national team.
“When you look at the overall context, Flo joined Liverpool at a very unfortunate time. It’s about the passing of Diogo Jota. He joined a team with players whose priority was not football at the time, which is very understandable.”
Klopp went on
“He learned a lot from his first year. Now under a new coach. He’s physically doing very well and the team is starting to find itself again. Attacking players always need a functioning team around them.”
“Everyone who loves football can still see what an outstanding player Flo Wirtz is. We can’t do more than we’re doing here: build him up with enough training and playing time, bit by bit give him certainty and a good feeling, and then send him back to Liverpool. I wish him all the best.”
Klopp intentionally created two full teams for the break so as to not over play any players but also because he needs to find the best players for the squad he will focus on. Wirtz was in the team to play the last two matches but due to Havertz and Jamal both being unavailable due to injury he had to call in Wirtz for yesterday’s game against Greece. It was a disappointing result for the Germans yet the Greek team boasts some quality players who’ve also played together for a while whereas Germany were spiraling and the World Cup performances proved big changes needed to be made.
The point of this article isn’t a report on the men’s German national team so it’s back to the core point. We all have the right to our own opinions and approach to what being a supporter of Liverpool means and it can seem very much black or white but there are usually nuances that help give a fuller picture of any given situation. Regardless of it all this writer is certain that all of us Liverpool supporters, all the players, Iraola, staff, owners and Klopp want a successful season and beyond.
With two more games to be played for all the countries we will all be hoping that there are no more injuries to Liverpool players and that Wirtz’s time away (unfortunately the Wirtz is a Liverpool failure narrative has followed him) will help settle him into a place of greater confidence. After the international break we all are anxiously looking at the first fixture which is against Man City (thankfully at Anfield) and we are going to need every available player feeling ready to get those three points. The added bonus of a Wirtz assist or goal to help win those three points will be very welcome from this writer and it would sure be a good start to dissolving the noisy narrative.
