German coach Jürgen Klopp, head of the German national football team, commented on fan criticism directed at Liverpool's first-team player during the current 2026/2027 season.
Liverpool faced Nottingham Forest earlier today, Saturday, in the second round of the English Premier League at Anfield Stadium.
The match between Liverpool and Nottingham ended in a 2-2 draw, meaning Iraola, the new Reds manager, has yet to secure a victory in the Premier League.
German international Florian Wirtz, a Liverpool player, faced widespread criticism due to his poor performance recently, including last season and his display against Newcastle in the first round.
Read also | Date of Liverpool's next match after the draw against Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League
Klopp stated in remarks quoted by "AnfieldSector": "I believe Liverpool fully understand where Flo should play; of course, his best position is deeper, in the spaces between the lines—those are the areas he needs to move into."
He added: "But Flo must also learn; he needs to play in such a way that the coach ultimately doesn't even consider substituting him. That's how things work; we cannot assist him with that."
He continued: "I believe they (Liverpool) will learn how to integrate him within the squad, and Flo simply needs to play in his own style—that's what matters, and I would like to give him the opportunity to do so eventually."
He further remarked: "However, anyone who wants to play with us must be capable of counter-pressing. I played with Shinji Kagawa as a playmaker; he didn't make many tackles, yet he was among the best counter-pressers I've ever coached. It's not about physical strength but also about the willingness to contribute in this aspect."
He concluded: "He is undoubtedly, for me and for everyone, an exceptional player, but Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville, and others are naturally the first to feel tense in England."
