Jurgen Klopp has last laugh after Deniz Undav claim sparked heavy backlash during World Cup
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Deniz Undav became a national hero after inspiring Germany to a 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast, after Jurgen Klopp faced backlash for suggesting he should start at the World CupJurgen Klopp's belief in Deniz Undav now appears to be genius after backlash in the German media(Image: 2026 Getty Images)Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has seen his admiration of Deniz Undav justified after receiving heavy backlash from German national team legend Lothar Matthaus during the FIFA World Cup.It's been a dramatic day of action in the World Cup, with Liverpool star Cody Gakpo starring for the Netherlands in a 5-1 win over Sweden before Germany faced the Ivory Coast. Klopp suggested that Undav should start over Jamal Musiala, which annoyed German World Cup winner Matthaus.Undav has enjoyed a stunning World Cup so far, scoring three goals and providing two assists in the victories over Curacao and the Ivory Coast.
In the opening 7-1 win over Curacao, Musiala also scored, but that's been his only attacking return thus far.Klopp has been working alongside fellow German legend Thomas Muller as an analyst for Magenta TV during the World Cup, and suggested that Undav should have started over Musiala against Curacao. Klopp later insisted it wasn't based on ability, but Musiala's lack of game time due to injury.Matthaus won the 1990 World Cup with Germany, and also won the Ballon d'Or that year, and was upset by Klopp's opinion.
"To play a successful World Cup, Germany needs the quality of a Musiala.Undaz scored a 94th-minute winner to complete his brace and earn Germany a comeback 2-1 win(Image: 2026 Getty Images)"His comments don't exactly make Nagelsmann's job any easier. While Klopp had the last laugh, he addressed Matthaus's comments and claimed that his opinion on Undav-Musiala was taken out of context."It has been brought to our attention that it was discussed a bit," Klopp said.