Jurgen Klopp insists Florian Wirtz has ‘shown how good he can be in difficult season’ as he backs Liverpool star for ‘fantastic’ World Cup with Germany

Jurgen Klopp has thrown his support behind Germany’s Florian Wirtz to become one of the defining figures of the upcoming World Cup in North America. The former Liverpool boss believes his compatriot has already proven his mettle during a challenging debut campaign at Anfield and possesses all the attributes to dominate on the global stage.

Wirtz has experienced a mixed first year in the Premier League. While some pundits have been quick to criticise the 22-year-old, he has provided undeniable flashes of brilliance that suggest he is adapting to the demands of English football. The German international enjoyed a particularly encouraging spell between December and January, netting five goals and providing three assists in 15 games.

For Germany, Wirtz has become an indispensable figure in Julian Nagelsmann’s tactical setup. He has started every match for the national team over the last year, including a dominant performance against Switzerland where he registered two goals and two assists.