Florian Wirtz: German media react to Liverpool star’s ‘mind-boggling’ display vs Switzerland

Florian Wirtz is loving life away from Liverpool after recording what was likely his best-ever appearance for the German national team on Friday.

The midfielder scored twice and assisted twice on the night as Germany beat Switzerland 4-3 in a friendly in Basel.

Wirtz has struggled this season at Liverpool after completing his record-breaking £116million move from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.

The 22-year-old looked to have hit some form midway through the season, but a three-game absence due to an injury to his back brought that to an abrupt end.

Liverpool’s form to the end of the season will be crucial to see if they are set to qualify for the Champions League next season, and they will hope Wirtz can translate what he showed on Friday.

German media hail Florian Wirtz after Switzerland showing

Wirtz was nominated for player of the month in January, after a superb run of form suggested that the midfielder had finally arrived.

He has since been unable to recapture that type of consistent performance in the Premier League, but it was on full show on Thursday.

The 22-year-old’s first key contribution was to swing in a perfect cross to meet the head of Jonathan Tah, who headed home to equalise.

If Wirtz’s first assist had been brilliant, however, his second was a piece of art. Picking up the ball in midfield, the German spotted the run of Serge Gnabry and found him with a ball so perfect that the forward did not even need to take a touch.

In the second half, the Liverpool man decided he wanted to get in on the act himself, and first hit a stunning effort from the edge of the box that flew over the goalkeeper and into the top corner.

Only he will know if he meant to shoot, but there was no doubt about his winner. One touch was needed to kill it dead just inside the box, before his second found the corner.

German website Bavarian Football Works named Wirtz “Meister of the Match”, and wrote: “Was this award really ever in doubt? Wirtz yet again had a flawless performance for Germany.

“He single-handedly won this game for Die Mannschaft. Two goals and two assists against a strong side on the road is a simply mind boggling performance.

“It is hard to make an argument against Wirtz being the best player in this squad at the moment. Now imagine what Wirtz can do with Jamal Musiala integrated and providing the Liverpool star with even more space and creativity.”

BILD hand Wirtz perfect rating

German newspaper BILD published their player ratings from the game on Friday, using a system of one to five, in which the lower the number, the better.

Unsurprisingly, Wirtz received a perfect one for his performance, which has attracted huge acclaim in his home nation.

While the midfielder has struggled at Liverpool this season, he remains among Germany’s greatest hopes for this summer’s World Cup.

It should not be forgotten that he is just 22, and the Reds will have plenty of development to oversee.

The post Florian Wirtz: German media react to Liverpool star’s ‘mind-boggling’ display vs Switzerland appeared first on Football Insider.