Jurgen Klopp, two years removed from his departure from Anfield, has offered direct advice to Liverpool’s new manager, Andoni Iraola, on how to best utilize midfielder Florian Wirtz. Speaking as a pundit for German channel Magenta TV, cited by Liverpoolecho, Klopp’s message was unequivocal: “Get the ball to Florian Wirtz.”
Klopp’s observations came while watching Wirtz perform for Germany at the World Cup. The former Liverpool boss highlighted Wirtz’s creative potential, urging for the player to be central to the team’s attacking rhythm. “The important thing is that we involve him in the game,” Klopp stated. “There were moments against Curacao when I thought, just give him the ball.”
He further elaborated on Wirtz’s optimal role, suggesting the German international should not be tasked with retrieving the ball deep in his own half. “He shouldn’t drop back and get the ball from his own penalty area and we expect him to start making plays,” Klopp explained. “We have to find moments where we can use this position, because with his positioning he creates a lot of space for the players next to him, for the full-backs and for everyone who can make runs into those space.”
Wirtz’s maiden season at Anfield
Wirtz, a new signing intended to bolster Arne Slot’s side, experienced a mixed debut campaign for Liverpool. Initially, the former Bayer Leverkusen star struggled to adapt to the rigours of English football. An upturn in form at the turn of the year was unfortunately curtailed by injury issues, preventing him from building consistent momentum.
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By the end of the campaign, Wirtz’s statistics reflected a season of adjustment:
- Seven goals in 49 appearances across all competitions.
- Eight assists in all competitions.
Notably, his goal tally was surpassed by captain Virgil van Dijk, who finished the season with eight goals.
World Cup form and Iraola’s task
Wirtz is currently with the Germany national team at the World Cup, where he has been a key figure. He played the full 90 minutes in Germany’s 7-1 victory over Curacao and again in their 2-1 win against Ivory Coast in Toronto on Saturday night. That match saw substitute Deniz Undav score both goals for Germany, securing top spot in Group E.
Iraola, who replaced the recently sacked Arne Slot this summer, inherits a Liverpool squad with Wirtz as a central creative asset. With the German valued most for the creative side of his game, Klopp’s advice aligns with the expectation that Wirtz will be eyeing a significant improvement in his assist numbers under Iraola’s more attacking tactical approach. The challenge for the new manager will be to implement a system that truly allows Wirtz to thrive in the manner Klopp envisions.
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