Jurgen Klopp has offered his thoughts on Florian Wirtz — and his message to both Liverpool and the German midfielder is fascinating.
Wirtz arrived at Liverpool with enormous expectations following his huge-money move from Bayer Leverkusen.
He was brought in to become one of the most important attacking players at Anfield.
But his early performances have raised questions about where exactly he should play and how Liverpool can get the very best out of him.
Now Klopp has offered an interesting insight.
And I think Liverpool supporters should be paying close attention.
Klopp knows where Wirtz needs to play
Speaking about Wirtz, Klopp said:
“I think Liverpool, at least, have absolutely understood where he actually needs to play. That is, of course, centrally, in the half spaces, the pockets where he needs to operate.”
That is a pretty clear message.
Wirtz needs to play centrally.
He needs freedom to operate between the lines.
He needs to find those pockets of space where he can turn, carry the ball and create chances.
And perhaps that is something Liverpool need to remember when deciding how to build their team around him.
Wirtz shouldn’t be forced into a role that doesn’t suit him
Wirtz isn’t a traditional winger.
He’s at his best when he can drift into central areas and influence the game.
That doesn’t mean he can’t play from the left or operate in wider areas.
But if Liverpool have spent so much money bringing him to Anfield, surely the objective should be to maximise his strengths.
Give him the ball.
Put him in positions where he can hurt teams.
Allow him to combine with the likes of Isak, Barcola and Szoboszlai.
That’s where I believe Liverpool can start to see the best of Wirtz.
👀 But Klopp also puts responsibility on Wirtz
This is the part of Klopp’s comments that I find particularly interesting.
He didn’t simply defend Wirtz.
He also challenged him.
> “Flo also has to learn, of course. He has to play in such a way that, in the end, the manager doesn’t even consider taking him off.”
That’s a huge statement.
Klopp is essentially saying that Liverpool can help Wirtz by putting him in the right position.
But ultimately, Wirtz has to take responsibility too.
He has to perform.
He has to influence matches.
And he has to make himself impossible to substitute.
That’s the challenge for Wirtz
Nobody should expect Wirtz to walk into the Premier League and immediately dominate every game.
He’s adapting to a new country.
A new league.
A new manager.
New teammates.
And a completely different style of football.
But at some point, adaptation has to turn into performance.
Liverpool didn’t spend huge money on Wirtz for him to simply look promising.
They signed him because they believe he can become one of the best players in the Premier League.
Now he has to show it.
Imagine Wirtz behind Isak
This is where things get exciting.
Liverpool now have a £125m striker in Alexander Isak.
They have Barcola providing pace and directness.
They have Szoboszlai capable of making runs beyond the striker.
And then you have Wirtz operating centrally between the lines.
That could be frightening.
But only if Liverpool get the structure right.
Wirtz needs runners ahead of him.
He needs options around him.
And most importantly, he needs freedom.
If he is constantly being asked to do things that don’t suit his game, Liverpool could end up wasting one of the most talented players in the squad.
Klopp believes Liverpool will figure it out
Perhaps the most encouraging part of Klopp’s comments is his belief that Liverpool will eventually find the answer.
He said:
> “I think they [Liverpool] will learn how to integrate him, and Flo simply has to play his game.”
That’s exactly what supporters want to hear.
Liverpool don’t need to reinvent Wirtz.
They need to unlock him.
Let him play his football.
Put him in the right areas.
Give him runners.
And then allow him to show everyone why Liverpool spent so much money bringing him to Anfield.
My verdict
I think Klopp has got this spot on.
Liverpool have to understand that Wirtz is at his best centrally, particularly in those half-spaces and pockets between midfield and defence.
But Wirtz also has to understand that playing for Liverpool comes with enormous expectations.
He has to earn his place.
He has to influence games.
And eventually, he needs to become the player Iraola simply doesn’t want to take off.
That’s the challenge.
Liverpool have bought the talent.
Now they have to unlock it.
And perhaps the answer is simpler than we think.
Put Florian Wirtz where Florian Wirtz wants to play.
Then let him play.
The rest is up to Flo.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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