Florian Wirtz is receiving unusually close guidance from Jurgen Klopp, according to Bild journalist Christian Falk, despite facing criticism for his performances with Liverpool.
The 23-year-old has continued to impress when representing Germany, while his displays at club level in England have attracted repeated scrutiny. Falk said Klopp, who is 59, has been closely involved in helping Wirtz develop and is currently acting as an unofficial coach to the player.
The claims were discussed on Bild’s Lage der Liga programme, which also examined Wirtz’s technical qualities and his relationship with Klopp. The episode featured former Germany manager Joachim Low, Bild football editor Falk, deputy editor-in-chief Walter M. Straten and presenter Philipp Thiel.
Low recalled selecting Wirtz for Germany for the first time in March 2021, when the player was 17. He said it was already clear that Wirtz possessed the potential to become one of football’s leading players if he continued to improve at the same rate.
Jamal Musiala was also called up for the first time around the same period, before Euro 2021, as part of an extended squad. Wirtz was not included in the tournament squad.
Low said Wirtz had immediately stood out for his understanding of space, his movement and his ability to read situations and make decisions. Those qualities, he added, made the midfielder different because his influence extended beyond what he could do when in possession.
Wirtz’s movement without the ball was a particularly important strength, Low said. Combined with his technical ability, creativity and control, it allowed him to move into central areas and create gaps in opposition defences. His team-mates could then exploit the spaces generated by his constant movement.
Klopp’s continued contact with Wirtz
Falk said Wirtz would be central to Klopp’s plans and that the manager had placed significant trust in him. Klopp regularly watches Liverpool matches because of his previous association with the club, Falk added, and contacts Wirtz by text message and telephone after every game.
The journalist said he had been told by sources inside Liverpool that Klopp speaks to Wirtz more often than the player’s current club manager, Andoni Iraola. Falk presented that as evidence of the importance Klopp attaches to Wirtz within his project.
Falk also believes Wirtz can produce better performances for Liverpool if he is given greater responsibility within the team. In his view, Klopp is already offering him that trust and freedom through his regular guidance.
The role envisaged for Wirtz therefore extends beyond simply selecting him on the pitch. According to Falk, Klopp wants the player to take on greater responsibility in shaping the team’s play and influencing matches.
