“He is simply world-class” – Völler comes to Wirtz's defence amid Liverpool criticism | OneFootball

More than a year after joining Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen, Florian Wirtz is still struggling to live up to the high expectations at Anfield.

Heading into the international break, the 23-year-old came under particularly heavy criticism in England for his recent performances, but Germany sporting director Rudi Völler remains confident he will turn things around.

“He has been over there for a year now, and the English media are even more critical. I see a player who is doing everything he can to bring his exceptional qualities to the pitch in England as well. Flo is still young, and he is simply world-class,” Völler told Bild am Sonntag.

“I know that he will be a very important, central player for us in the Germany national team. In the upcoming tournaments, too. He and Jamal [Musiala] are our future."

After coming off the bench in Germany’s 0-1 defeat to Greece on Sunday, Wirtz is expected to start against Serbia on Thursday as Jürgen Klopp’s men target a much-needed win.