Jurgen Klopp has moved swiftly to quell concerns over Liverpool’s form and Florian Wirtz’s slow start to life at Anfield, insisting the German international is a “once-in-a-century talent” who will eventually flourish at the club.
Liverpool, the reigning Premier League champions, are enduring a three-game losing streak, which has intensified scrutiny on a summer window that broke the English top flight transfer record twice and became the most expensive in history. Among the high-profile arrivals was Wirtz, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen for £116 million.
The 22-year-old midfielder has yet to register a goal or assist in competitive action and has struggled to replicate the form that made him one of Germany’s brightest prospects. However, Klopp, speaking at a padel tournament in Mallorca, insisted there is no reason for alarm.
“With Florian Wirtz, I simply don’t have to worry because his quality is so outstanding,” Klopp said.
“The discussions are a bit exaggerated. Liverpool just lost three games in a row, which is unusual. But that’s also normal in life. And that’s why such things are discussed there. Now I’ve been in the middle of such discussions long enough and can say: nothing could interest people there less than the public discussions.”
He continued, offering advice to his compatriot: “Basically, it can’t hurt to develop a bit of a thicker skin, and that’s no different with Florian. But he has a stable environment, and the club is great in moments like these. So, if anyone’s worried: you don’t have to be, you can stop. Everything will be fine!”
Wirtz has come under particular scrutiny given Liverpool’s recent dip in form and the arrival of other summer signings. The No. 7 has yet to find the net since the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace in August and was left out of the starting XI in the 2-1 Premier League loss to Chelsea, coming on as a second-half substitute.
Klopp, who oversaw nine years at Anfield, is no stranger to new signings needing time to adapt. Players such as Fabinho, Andy Robertson, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all required adjustment periods before becoming integral to the side. Klopp believes Wirtz will follow a similar path.
“[Wirtz is] a once-in-a-century talent, and at some point he’ll show that in every game again, just as he did at Leverkusen,” Klopp added.
Germany’s footballing community shares Klopp’s optimism. Having spent over five seasons at Leverkusen, Wirtz is already regarded as a highly accomplished talent, and there is a widespread belief he will thrive in the Premier League once he fully adapts to the pace and physicality of English football.
Liverpool return to Premier League action on Sunday, October 19, when they host bitter rivals Manchester United at Anfield. With only a point separating them from league leaders Arsenal, Slot side will be desperate to halt their losing streak and provide Wirtz the platform to justify his record transfer fee.
