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Julian Nagelsmann has suggested that Florian Wirtz 'should be smarter' in certain situations, following criticism of the midfielder after Germany's unexpected loss to Slovakia in FIFA World Cup qualifying. The national team manager also offered a fresh perspective on the player's summer move to Liverpool.
Wirtz made his way to Liverpool in a $157 million deal from Bayer Leverkusen, setting a new British transfer record at the time. He has been gradually finding his feet in Arne Slot's squad, featuring in the Community Shield and all three Premier League matches so far this season.
Despite only contributing one assist since his arrival from the Bundesliga, it's clear that Wirtz will be given time to adjust to his new environment. However, he was anticipated to play a pivotal role for Germany during the international break.
Instead, the four-time world champions were taken aback by a 2-0 defeat to Slovakia in their first World Cup qualifier on Thursday. According to German media, Liverpool's new signing is experiencing a 'superstar crisis', due to what they perceive as a slow start since his transfer to Anfield.
Wirtz's loss of possession directly led to the opposition netting their first goal just before half-time. Ahead of Germany's upcoming match against Northern Ireland, Nagelsmann was asked if he had discussed this incident with the player.
"Flo is an extremely important player for us. He tried a lot on Thursday and will try again tomorrow, which means he will play," the coach confirmed, indicating that the Reds star is set to make another appearance.
"I didn't speak to him about that scene, but if I did I would've told him that he should fall to the ground because it was a clear foul. It wasn't a regular goal. You should be smarter in the situation and fall, because it was a clear foul."
He continued: "It was unfortunate that we conceded a goal, but we didn't concede it because Flo argued with a player on the halfway line. There were other reasons."
Nagelsmann's comments see him echoing Liverpool boss Slot, who has suggested that his team is too honest, and also referenced a moment from Wirtz as he called for his players to make more of what he perceives as fouls.
“If there is one team in the league that is, in my opinion, the most honest when we play – I sometimes blame them that they never try to make from a foul a little bit more – and never dives and never time delays and all these kind of things, then it is us,” Slot said last month.
“In the (Community Shield) game against Palace they hold Florian (Wirtz) in midfield and he didn’t fall over and the referee says ‘If you don’t fall, I don’t give a free-kick’, which is a little bit weird."
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Wirtz isn't the only one making the leap from the German Bundesliga to the Premier League this summer. Newcastle United shattered its club transfer record by signing striker Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart for $93M.
Having also played a part in Germany's recent defeat, Nagelsmann was asked whether he was personally happy to see such players depart their homeland for England.
"I'm happy when they play a lot of games and get a lot of minutes, that's the most important thing for me," the boss stated, while also conceding: "It's not ideal for the German Bundesliga that the best German players are moving to England.
"But that's how it is. It's kind of normal at this period of time.
"Flo is already one of the most important players for us. Nick is too and will be in the future. I hope Nick will play regularly at Newcastle so he can develop in the right way. If they do, then they will play a big role for us."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.
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