In a surprising twist, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has backed Jürgen Klopp’s strong defense of under-fire midfielder Florian Wirtz. The 22-year-old German playmaker, who joined Liverpool in a £116 million move, has come under scrutiny after a disappointing run of form with few goals or assists to his name.
Klopp, now serving as Red Bull’s global head of football, recently described Wirtz as a “once-in-a-century talent” and urged patience as the youngster adjusts to the demands of the Premier League. His words came after Liverpool suffered three straight defeats, during which Wirtz was singled out by critics as one of the reasons for the team’s poor performances.
Gerrard, however, believes the criticism is premature. The former Liverpool captain, familiar with the pressure that comes with representing the club, stressed that Wirtz needs time and support to rediscover his best form.
“Florian’s a young lad with immense potential. He needs time to settle,” Gerrard said, noting the player’s impressive record at Bayer Leverkusen, where he scored 16 goals and provided 14 assists last season. “This is just a blip,” he added.
While the club navigates a difficult period on the pitch, reports suggest Liverpool are preparing to strengthen their defense, with possible moves for Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck and Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano. The Reds are also facing uncertainty over the future of Ibrahima Konaté, who is reportedly attracting interest from Real Madrid.
In such a tense atmosphere, Gerrard’s endorsement of Wirtz serves as both reassurance and motivation.
“He needs his teammates and the fans to rally behind him. That’s what makes Liverpool special,” Gerrard said, urging supporters to stand by the young midfielder.
With both Klopp and Gerrard publicly backing Wirtz, attention now turns to how the German responds. Can he rise to the challenge and prove his worth, or will Liverpool’s gamble on youth take longer to pay off?
As the January transfer window approaches and speculation intensifies, all eyes remain on Anfield. Whether Wirtz becomes the next great Liverpool star or a lesson in patience, one thing is certain — his story is far from finished
