Florian Wirtz found a welcome change of scene in the Germany camp, turning a difficult Liverpool spell into a night of influence against Serbia. The attacking midfielder scored in a 2-0 win, wore the captain’s armband for the first time and produced the kind of sharp final-third work that had been missing from his club season.
The German joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen but has not yet consistently reached the level he showed in the Bundesliga. He scored seven times across last season, while this campaign had brought no goals and only one assist before the international break.
Quick facts
- Germany beat Serbia 2-0.
- Wirtz started alongside Nick Woltemade in attack.
- He struck the post before Tom Bischof scored the opener.
- Wirtz became Germany captain after Serge Gnabry went off.
- His second-half goal was his 13th for Germany and first of the season.
Jürgen Klopp included Wirtz in the second group of 22 players called into the squad, and the Liverpool player began in a role just behind Woltemade rather than as the most advanced forward.
Germany’s breakthrough arrived after 39 minutes and Wirtz was at the centre of it. A delivery from Treu unsettled the Serbian defence, Pavlovic moved the loose ball towards Wirtz, and the No. 7 controlled in tight space before beating a defender and hitting the post. Bischof reacted quickest to turn in the rebound.
When Gnabry was substituted at the start of the second half, Wirtz took the armband. Rather than retreat under the added responsibility, he continued to dictate Germany’s play around the edge of Serbia’s box.
His reward came in the 52nd minute, when he scored the goal that settled the contest. It ended his personal wait for a goal this season and took his international total to 13.
Klopp went straight to Wirtz at full time, embracing the midfielder and congratulating him on his display. For a player attempting to rediscover his rhythm after a subdued Liverpool period, the gesture matched the significance of the evening.
“It is special,” Wirtz said of captaining Germany for the first time. “It was not something I had set as a target, but it makes you proud.”
The Serbia match does not erase the questions surrounding his club form, but it offered a timely reminder of Wirtz’s quality: calm in crowded areas, decisive near goal and comfortable carrying responsibility for his country.
