Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has come to the defence of Florian Wirtz following growing criticism over the midfielder’s slow start at Anfield.
Wirtz, who made a £116 million move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, has yet to find his rhythm, failing to score or assist in his first seven appearances for the Reds. His recent omission from the starting lineup during Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea further intensified scrutiny over his performances.
However, Klopp remains confident that the 22-year-old will soon justify his hefty price tag. Speaking to RTL and n-tv during a padel tournament in Mallorca, Klopp described Wirtz as a “once-in-a-century talent” and urged patience amid the mounting pressure.
“Liverpool have lost three in a row — that’s rare, but it happens,” Klopp said. “The noise around it doesn’t matter. Everything will be fine; Wirtz has incredible quality.”
Liverpool’s form has dipped recently, with consecutive defeats to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, and Galatasaray. Despite the setback, Klopp insists that Wirtz is in the right environment to succeed.
“He’s in good hands,” Klopp added. “If anyone’s worried, they can stop. He’ll come good soon.”
The Reds will look to bounce back when they host Manchester United at Anfield on October 19.
