German football great Jurgen Klinsmann has been speaking about Liverpool playmaker Florian Wirtz, who has grown in influence throughout a difficult season for his new club
Jurgen Klinsmann has been discussing Florian Wirtz’s debut campaign at Liverpool (Image: Boris Streubel/Bundesliga/Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images)
German football legend Jurgen Klinsmann has said he is confident about Florian Wirtz’s chances of success at Liverpool.
Florian Wirtz is nearing the end of his debut campaign at Anfield – and the Kop have liked what they’ve seen so far.
The playmaker, who is currently on international duty with Germany, didn’t quite hit the ground running for Arne Slot’s side after his £116m move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
But his performances since the turn of the year before his back injury have suggested that he could soon become a key player for the Reds.
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo’s dedicated LFC Facebook page
And former Tottenham and Bayern Munich striker Klinsmann told the Spielmacher Podcast that he has no doubts about his compatriot.
He said: “No, it [Wirtz’s initial struggles] didn’t surprise me at all. He moved from an extremely strong Bayer Leverkusen side, where everything was relatively calm, structured, and under control, to an absolutely massive club, one of the biggest in the world.
“It’s similar to moving to Bayern Munich – it’s anything but easy.
“I even said on TV here in the USA, when people were being critical of him: ‘give him time’. He just needs time to settle in. It’s a completely new adventure hitting him all at once.
“But the kid is good, and in the end, quality always comes through. And that’s exactly what’s happening now.”
Wirtz scored his first Liverpool goal against Wolves just after Christmas – the start of a 10-game spell which yielded all six of his goals for the club to date.
Florian Wirtz celebrates after scoring his first goal for Liverpool in the win over Wolves(Image: Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)
The 22-year-old, who has been deployed by head coach Slot in the wide areas as well as in his preferred attacking midfield role, has also registered nine assists this season.
After what has been a promising maiden Premier League campaign thus far, Klinsmann expects the talent’s goal return to increase exponentially in the near future.
“He’s establishing himself, putting his stamp on the game,” explained the 1990 World Cup winner.
“Even if he’s not scoring as many goals as he did at Leverkusen yet, that will come in year two or three. I have no concerns about that.”
German exports often get tarnished with a negative reputation in England, with the term ‘Bundesliga tax’ a popular term in the social media age.
But Wirtz is only 22, growing in confidence, and will be hoping to join the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan on the Bundesliga’s list of successful Premier League transfers.
“He stayed strong, didn’t give up, kept a positive mindset. He had to adapt to completely different teammates and a different style of play,” added Klinsmann.
Liverpool star Florian Wirtz in training with Germany this week (Image: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
“That’s why I’m a big fan of Florian Wirtz. And you have to say, overall, he’s had a very good season.
“Not the extraordinary season he had at Leverkusen, but he’s a top player, and that will all come back in time.”
Wirtz is part of the Germany squad that has travelled to Basel for a friendly with Switzerland this evening (Friday).