Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has defended Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz, saying the team’s instability has made it hard for him to shine.
According to a report from TALKSPORT, Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has come to the defence of Florian Wirtz following criticism over his slow start at Liverpool. The 22-year-old midfielder, who joined the Reds from Bayer Leverkusen in a £116.5 million deal last summer, has yet to register a goal or assist in 11 Premier League appearances this season.
Speaking during a press conference ahead of Germany’s World Cup qualifiers, Nagelsmann said, “Maybe Liverpool could help him out by scoring some of the chances he creates. He does not create few chances, it’s just that they somehow don’t like to score them.” He added, “The whole club isn’t as stable this year as it was last year. It’s much harder to slip into the team now.”
Wirtz, despite his league struggles, has impressed in other competitions, contributing three assists in five matches across the Champions League and Community Shield. Nagelsmann insisted that such dips in form are normal, especially for younger players. “We all know what he’s capable of, and it’s perfectly normal for a player of his age to go through a bit of a dip in form,” he said.
Germany will face Luxembourg and Slovakia in their upcoming qualifiers, with Wirtz expected to feature prominently.