Jurgen Klopp on the recent criticism of Florian Wirtz:
“I think Liverpool, at least, have absolutely understood where he actually needs to play. That is, of course, CENTRALLY, in the half spaces, the pockets where he needs to operate.
“But Flo also has to learn, of course. He has to play in such a way that, in the end, the manager doesn’t even consider taking him off. That’s just how it is. We can’t help him with that.
“I think they [Liverpool] will learn how to integrate him, and Flo simply has to play his game. That’s what it’s about. And I’d like to give him the opportunity to do that at some point.
“But anyone who wants to play for us HAS TO BE ABLE to counter press. I played Shinji Kagawa as a No. 10. He didn’t make a single tackle and was still one of the best counter pressing players I’ve ever had. It’s not about physicality. It’s about wanting to contribute in that respect as well.
“From a footballing point of view, he is beyond any doubt, for me and for everyone else too. But Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville and so on are, of course, always the first ones to get nervous in England.”
(Klopp obviously watched our game, since he also speaks of “three players in the number 10 position,” and every ball Liverpool lost turned into a counterattack.)