Germany’s Julian Nagelsmann backs Florian Wirtz to ‘create lovely moments’ at Liverpool
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Germany's Florian Wirtz after suffering an injury in a World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg.
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BERLIN – Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann on Oct 12 backed under-fire Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz to shine in the English Premier League.
Speaking in Belfast ahead of Germany’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland on Oct 13, Nagelsmann said Wirtz’s teething problems were “normal”.
“I have no concerns. He’ll adapt very quickly and score goals for Liverpool,” the 38-year-old added.
“He’ll create a lot of lovely moments at Anfield. Even though he hasn’t scored any goals, he is still the player who creates the most chances in the Premier League.”
According to Opta statistics, no player has created more chances than Wirtz (21) in the Premier League this season.
“It’s not his fault if his teammates don’t convert them, and the statistics don’t even tell the whole story.” Nagelsmann said.
“Wirtz needs to get used to the league. I saw him playing with total freedom. He knows what he’s capable of and how things work.
“He hasn’t always had it easy – he’ll have to work hard now too.”
Wirtz has no goals and no assists in nine Premier League and Champions League matches, since joining Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen
Nagelsmann said he hoped Wirtz would “score tomorrow” in Belfast to start his revival, adding “it’d be good for him and for us”. That match kicked off after press time.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp also believes the negativity surrounding the 22-year-old is too much.
“His quality is so outstanding,” Klopp told German outlet n-tv. “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.
“(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.”
Liverpool’s three-game losing streak, their longest under manager Arne Slot, has turned up the heat on the 22-year-old midfielder.
Only 10 games into life at Liverpool, Wirtz has already felt the sting of the British media.
After the 1-0 Champions League defeat
“He’s not at the races at all,” the Englishman said, adding “he needs to come out of the team for Liverpool to get back to where they were last season.”
Broadcaster Gary Neville called Wirtz “a bit predictable”, saying he “needs work, needs coaching”.
Wirtz’s numbers may not make for pretty reading but some, like Klopp, have suggested his struggles cannot be separated from Liverpool’s recent poor performances.
“Wirtz is taking a bit longer to settle in than we thought, that’s all it is,” pundit Micah Richards said.
“Wirtz is creating some very good chances – they’re just not being taken. The problem is the price tag.”
In the second half against Galatasaray, Wirtz twice created strong chances for Liverpool to equalise, both of which were wasted.
Moments after coming off the bench in their last match, a 2-1 loss to Chelsea
After blasting wide with only the goalkeeper to beat, the Egyptian apologised to Wirtz.
Wirtz can benefit from a return to Germany, where most believe concerns over his ability are greatly exaggerated.
On Oct 10, Serge Gnabry said: “I don’t have the feeling Flo isn’t doing well. He’s in good form in training and he’s smiling. Nobody doubts his quality. I don’t. And he shouldn’t. Give the lad some time.”
German FA (DFB) sport boss Andreas Rettig told Bild: “One thing is certain – Florian will make his mark at Liverpool.”
DFB sporting director Rudi Voller told Sky Sports that Wirtz needed time to adjust to his new role at Liverpool but “would prevail”.
“At Leverkusen, they were always looking for him, he always received the ball and he was the leader. At Liverpool, he’s not being served like he used to be,” he said. AFP
