Overview
- This week Jürgen Klopp publicly defended 23-year-old Florian Wirtz and said Germany must make him feel comfortable so he can 'just be Flo'.
- Klopp named Wirtz in the second of two squads for the extended September/October UEFA Nations League window as a signal of continued faith.
- The coach pointed to Wirtz's high work-rate at Liverpool and said the team should stop demanding flash moments and instead allow players to shine through collective play.
- The selection follows public criticism from former Germany midfielder Toni Kroos and comes after Wirtz produced mixed outputs since his £116 million move to Liverpool.
- Wirtz's record includes three World Cup assists and seven goals with eight assists in 49 appearances for Liverpool last season, and Klopp's intervention could protect the player's confidence and shape his role in upcoming matches.