Karim Adeyemi’s absence from Germany’s squad for the final two Nations League group games has a tactical explanation, and it goes to the heart of how Jürgen Klopp wants his forwards to play.

Speaking after Klopp named a 24-player squad on Thursday for the matches against Serbia and the Netherlands, former Germany goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller told German broadcaster ran that Adeyemi’s defensive work rate is the issue.

“Karim reacted too late, time and again, to engage the reverse gear,” Weidenfeller said, in comments carried by ran.

Weidenfeller framed the omission as a small reprimand meant to make a point, and set out the Klopp doctrine in plain terms.

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“Of course you always have every freedom going forward with Jürgen, but the reverse gear, you always have to engage that,” he told ran.

Mohya called up at 17

The cuts were not confined to Adeyemi. Nick Woltemade was also dropped, as was RB Leipzig captain David Raum.

In their place came Wael Mohya, a 17-year-old Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder handed his first senior call-up on the back of four Bundesliga goals this season. Werder Bremen striker Niclas Füllkrug, 33, returned to the squad for the first time since September 2025, having scored nine Bundesliga goals in eight appearances this season.

Klopp framed the choices as the by-product of depth, telling reporters that “the more quality you have (available), the harder, in a positive sense, the decisions you have to take become”.

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Four goals, three assists, off the bench

Adeyemi has been used mostly as a substitute at Barcelona, with four goals and three assists in 14 appearances across all competitions.

Weidenfeller pointed back to Germany’s earlier meeting with the Netherlands, where he thought Adeyemi had started brightly but missed a chance that could have won the game.

Germany sit third in their Nations League group heading into the final matches. It is only Klopp’s second camp in charge, having succeeded Julian Nagelsmann ahead of the September window.

Germany face Serbia in Belgrade on 13 November before hosting the Netherlands in Berlin on 16 November.

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