Klopp Makes Daring Wirtz Prediction Despite Disappointing Debut Season at Liverpool

Former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp has tipped Florian Wirtz to be one of the "standout" performers at the 2026 World Cup, as the dynamic attacker looks to put a challenging 2025–26 club campaign behind him.

Despite reported interest from Real Madrid and Manchester City, Wirtz opted for Liverpool last summer in a transfer that briefly set a new Premier League record—only for the Reds to surpass it just over two months later with the acquisition of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.

Wirtz has needed time to adjust to a new league and country and, following one particularly chastening loss to Manchester City, was labeled a "little boy" by prominent pundit Gary Neville. Yet he is far from Liverpool's most disappointing signing in a underwhelming 2025 recruitment window—that distinction goes to Isak. The German international has still contributed 17 goals and assists for the Reds across all competitions and should benefit greatly from the experience heading into next season.

Rejoining his national squad for the World Cup will place Wirtz in far more familiar surroundings. He was a regular starter throughout the qualifying campaign—predominantly on the left flank—and recently netted twice and set up two more in a friendly victory against Switzerland.

"I hope Flo Wirtz will have a fantastic, fantastic World Cup," Klopp told BBC Sport. "I think he has everything it takes to be a standout player. I don't want to put any pressure on the boy. I really think he has already shown how good he can be, even in a tough season."

German supporters will be hoping Wirtz can elevate his game this summer, as the four-time world champions look to rebound from catastrophic tournament exits in 2018 and 2022—both resulting in stunning group-stage eliminations.

Which Liverpool Players Will be at the 2026 World Cup?

Liverpool are poised to have a strong presence at the World Cup in North America. Including Wirtz, the Reds could see as many as 12 players named in tournament squads. The number could have been higher, were it not for Hugo Ekitiké's Achilles injury sidelining him until 2027. Curtis Jones also appears unlikely to earn a call-up from England.

Many of those who will feature played for Liverpool under Klopp.

"I hope that Andy Robertson and Alisson Becker can enjoy that when they meet each other [for Scotland vs. Brazil]. Can you imagine playing together for so long and then Scotland qualifies—for the first time in I don't know how many years—for the World Cup, and you face each other, your friends, in a match like that? That must be one of the happiest moments of your life.

"I wish Virgil [van Dijk] will have a great tournament. I really wish for Mo [Salah] that he will have a great tournament. I honestly wish that Sadio [Mané] will have a great tournament. [Alexis Mac Allister], if he won, if they win it again. It was so wonderful to see him with a medal around his neck.

"So many of my former players are part of the World Cup, which is really, really special."

Liverpool Players Set for 2026 World Cup Selection