Jürgen Klopp praises Florian Wirtz after his first victory as national coach

Jürgen Klopp warmly hugged Florian Wirtz after his longed-for first victory as national coach. Liverpool FC's offensive artist also celebrated his own redemption in the German national football team's 2-0 win. He initiated the opening goal with a technically fine move and hit the post. And he got the final score himself. That's how the German fans want to see the exceptional kicker - and Klopp too.

“I think that everyone in Liverpool is very, very happy with the performance today,” said the national coach in view of Wirtz’s top performance after the success in the Nations League against Serbia. “I think so many English people and Liverpool fans have never watched a German national team game. And they will have had great fun."

Wirtz: We are a good football nation

After the break and Serge Gnabry's substitution, the 23-year-old Wirtz was allowed to lead his team with the captain's armband on his left upper arm. “It was of course important to win again, simply for the spirit in the team,” said Wirtz: “And it was also a sign to the outside world that we are good footballers and also a good football nation.”

This time it was four-time world champions Germany, especially thanks to Wirtz. In the stadium where he scored the electrifying opening goal in the celebrated 5-1 win against Scotland at the 2024 home European Championship, the offensive artist once again impressed fans and colleagues. “Crazy,” said Bayern star Gnabry briefly and succinctly about Wirtz’s appearance.

He reported what Klopp had given him along the way. “That I’m playing the kind of football people are used to from me again,” he said. No sooner said than done. “It’s definitely going in that direction,” said Wirtz, but still a little cautiously.

“He understands football”

The midfield with Munich's Tom Bischof, who made it 1-0, and Aleksandar Pavlovic worked well in conjunction with Wirtz. “He is a brutal footballer,” said Bischof about Wirtz. “He understands football, has so much knowledge.”

After a difficult first year at Liverpool FC, to which he moved for around 125 million euros in the summer of 2025, Wirtz is slowly working his way back to his goal form. Klopp had already pointed out the importance of Wirtz in the days before the game - and this was confirmed. “We saw a boy who was bursting with enthusiasm for the game, which is the most important thing, and who worked really hard,” said the national coach.