Florian Wirtz: the matchup, the stakes, the verdict

Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has backed Florian Wirtz to be one of the “standout” players of the 2026 World Cup, as the versatile attacker seeks to put the 2025–26 club season behind him. Florian Wirtz has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in Ethiopia.

Key facts

• Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has backed Florian Wirtz to be one of the “standout” players of the 2026 World Cup, as the versatile attacker seeks to put the 2025–26 club season behind him.
• Florian Wirtz has sent a defiant message after a slow beginning to his journey at Liverpool.
• Florian Wirtz is loving life as a Liverpool player so far.
• Florian Wirtz, who arrived at Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen this summer on a five-year contract for a reported transfer fee of €136.3million (£116m), was not included in Liverpool's squad against Southampton.
• German fans will be hoping Wirtz can take his level up a notch this summer, with the four-time champions trying to bounce back from disastrous tournaments in 2018 and 2022—both ending in shock group-stage eliminations.

What we know

Going deeper, Florian Wirtz has sent a defiant message after a slow beginning to his journey at Liverpool.

On the substance, Florian Wirtz is loving life as a Liverpool player so far.

Beyond the headlines, Florian Wirtz, who arrived at Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen this summer on a five-year contract for a reported transfer fee of €136.3million (£116m), was not included in Liverpool's squad against Southampton.

More precisely, German fans will be hoping Wirtz can take his level up a notch this summer, with the four-time champions trying to bounce back from disastrous tournaments in 2018 and 2022—both ending in shock group-stage eliminations.

It is worth noting that Including Wirtz, the Reds could have 12 players selected for the tournament.

By the numbers

At this stage, Liverpool secured a 2-1 win against Southampton in the third round of the Carabao Cup on September 23 at Anfield.

On a related note, it remains to be seen if Wirtz will score his first goal for Liverpool in their upcoming Premier League match against Crystal Palace on September 27 at Selhurst Park.

Going deeper, But he has been by no means Liverpool’s worst signing of a disappointing recruitment class of 2025—that title belongs to Isak.

On the substance, the Germany international has still managed 17 goals and assists for the Reds across all competitions and should be better for the experience come next season.

What they're saying

“I hope Flo Wirtz will have a fantastic, fantastic World Cup,” Klopp told BBC Sport. “I think he has everything you need to be a standout player.

“So many [of my] former players are part of the World Cup, which is really, really nice.”

“I will try to find the right places to be and the right spaces to get the ball and to be dangerous and create chances.”

The wider context

On a related note, Arne Slot backs Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz to keep improving at Liverpool.

Going deeper, why Florian Wirtz to Liverpool is worth EVERY penny.

On the substance, Liverpool boss Arne Slot gives concerning Florian Wirtz injury update.

Beyond the headlines, Florian Wirtz nets first goal for Liverpool in nervy win over bottom side Wolves.

More precisely, the former Bayer Leverkusen star has had to adapt to his new life at Liverpool.

The bottom line

• Why Florian Wirtz to Liverpool is worth EVERY penny.
• It remains to be seen if Wirtz will score his first goal for Liverpool in their upcoming Premier League match against Crystal Palace on September 27 at Selhurst Park.
• The former Bayer Leverkusen star has had to adapt to his new life at Liverpool.