Germany defeated Serbia 2-0 last night, with Florian Wirtz opening his account for the season with a superb goal. Both he and Jurgen Klopp had plenty to say about the Liverpool star's performance post-match.
Klopp Secures First Win as Germany Manager
Germany earned their first-ever win under Jurgen Klopp last night with a 2-0 victory over Serbia. It was a much-needed and much-improved performance after a draw and a loss in Klopp's first two games.
Liverpool's No. 7, Florian Wirtz, started the game and completed the full 90 minutes; he was heavily involved in all things good for Die Mannschaft and scored his first goal of the season in tidy fashion. He was also given the captain's armband for the first time in his international career during the second half.
Both Wirtz and Klopp had plenty to say after the game.
Reuters/Angelika WarmuthFlorian Wirtz Post-Match Reaction
Speaking after the game, Wirtz expressed his delight at being given the captain's armband:
It's something special. It wasn't on my to-do list, but it makes you proud.
Speaking about his performance, he said:
"I tried to keep giving everything [to] make sure we saw the game out. We managed to do that. It was incredibly enjoyable. Every single player left everything out on the pitch. We followed the game plan and got almost everything right."
One of Wirtz's post-match comments brought a big reaction from Liverpool fans online:
The players around me made it easy for me. We had a lot of movement, that's when you can shine.
Some fans seemed to believe that this comment was Wirtz 'blaming his Liverpool teammates' for his poorer performances with Liverpool so far this season.
It's not surprising that Wirtz spoke so positively after the match; he scored a superb goal to open his account for the season and put in a performance that pleased his new international manager.
Jurgen Klopp: 'I Think Everyone at Liverpool is Very Happy Today'
Speaking about Wirtz's strong performance, Klopp said:
"I've had a great time with him, and I only know the one I know now; I didn't get a sense of the other one. He came to Liverpool at the worst possible moment [but] he's an incredible player who will come back [in form for Liverpool]."
The way we want to play suits Florian Wirtz; I think everyone at Liverpool is very happy today. He is full of love for the game, and he has given everything he has.
Author's Verdict: Exactly What the Doctor Ordered
Jamie Carragher said after Liverpool's win against Bournemouth that Florian Wirtz's 'last hope' would be for Klopp to sprinkle his 'stardust' on him over the international break.
Wirtz's strong performance in his first game under Klopp has already got many believing, if they did not already, that the stardust Carragher spoke about is real. A confidence-boosted Florian Wirtz following the international break would be a huge boon for the Reds.
It's interesting to note how Klopp played Wirtz as a false nine/second striker next to Nick Woltemade against Serbia, a somewhat similar position to that which Andoni Iraola has spoken about at Liverpool.
Consistency between club and international football can be rare; the fact that Wirtz is being managed by a Liverpool legend and under a similar philosophy to that of Liverpool's current head coach can only be a huge benefit.
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