Jurgen Klinsmann makes Florian Wirtz prediction after being proven right on Liverpool struggles
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Echo or go back to LFC Live.
German football great Jurgen Klinsmann has been speaking about Liverpool playmaker Florian Wirtz, who has grown in influence throughout a difficult season for his new clubGerman football legend Jurgen Klinsmann has said he is confident about Florian Wirtz’s chances of success at Liverpool.Florian Wirtz is nearing the end of his debut campaign at Anfield - and the Kop have liked what they’ve seen so far.The playmaker, who is currently on international duty with Germany, didn’t quite hit the ground running for Arne Slot’s side after his £116m move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.But his performances since the turn of the year before his back injury have suggested that he could soon become a key player for the Reds.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageAnd former Tottenham and Bayern Munich striker Klinsmann told the Spielmacher Podcast that he has no doubts about his compatriot.He said: “No, it [Wirtz’s initial struggles] didn’t surprise me at all.
He moved from an extremely strong Bayer Leverkusen side, where everything was relatively calm, structured, and under control, to an absolutely massive club, one of the biggest in the world.“It’s similar to moving to Bayern Munich - it’s anything but easy.“I even said on TV here in the USA, when people were being critical of him: ‘give him time’. And that’s exactly what’s happening now.”Wirtz scored his first Liverpool goal against Wolves just after Christmas - the start of a 10-game spell which yielded all six of his goals for the club to date.The 22-year-old, who has been deployed by head coach Slot in the wide areas as well as in his preferred attacking midfield role, has also registered nine assists this season.After what has been a promising maiden Premier League campaign thus far, Klinsmann expects the talent’s goal return to increase exponentially in the near future.“He’s establishing himself, putting his stamp on the game,” explained the 1990 World Cup winner.“Even if he’s not scoring as many goals as he did at Leverkusen yet, that will come in year two or three.
He had to adapt to completely different teammates and a different style of play,” added Klinsmann.“That’s why I’m a big fan of Florian Wirtz. And you have to say, overall, he’s had a very good season.“Not the extraordinary season he had at Leverkusen, but he’s a top player, and that will all come back in time.”Wirtz is part of the Germany squad that has travelled to Basel for a friendly with Switzerland this evening (Friday).