‘Judge him by the team’: Iraola echoes Klopp in robust defence of Liverpool star Florian Wirtz

Andoni Iraola has insisted Andoni Iraola has insisted Florian Wirtz should be judged by how well Liverpool perform when he is on the pitch.

Wirtz has faced scrutiny since his £116m arrival from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, with the German underwhelming in terms of output.

The 23-year-old has four goals and five assists in 37 league appearances for Liverpool, with question marks against his end product at Anfield.

Wirtz arrived at Liverpool as a back-to-back winner of the Bundesliga's Player of the Season, having recorded 10+ goals and 10+ assists in successive league seasons at Leverkusen.

This week, former Liverpool manager and Germany head coach Jurgen Klopp defended Wirtz, after his inclusion in the latest national squad.

“I think he's the player who covered the most ground at Liverpool this season, so the willingness is absolutely there," Klopp said.

“We have to move away from the idea that we need to see special moments from him. He is there to help us as a team. We have to make sure that Flo feels comfortable with us.

“When the team works, then every player shines as a consequence. You have to be satisfied with a game in which Flo Wirtz gave everything but didn’t have a goal or assist."

Florian Wirtz defended: Iraola and Klopp say Liverpool’s performances matter more than goals and assists

Iraola was asked about Wirtz's contribution ahead of this weekend's Premier League fixture at Bournemouth.

He said that Wirtz should not be judged on goals and assists alone, but admitted the midfielder will want to improve his record as he bids for success in English football.

"He should be judged like everybody well," Iraola said at his pre-match press conference.

"Like, if he plays well, if he doesn't play well... I always say, 'how does the team play when you are on the pitch?'

"I rate Florian very highly, he understands what we need from him, he is trying to help in every aspect of the game. Obviously he will want also to add assists or goals but he is helping us in a lot of different areas. Also, we could give him a rest [against Spurs] the other day, that he needed because he's put in a good effort in the games."

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