Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz has joined up with the Germany squad earlier than expected.
Jurgen Klopp, the new Germany national team manager after succeeding Julian Nagelsmann following a disappointing World Cup showing, handed his former club an unexpected boost upon naming his first squad for the extended international break.
While Wirtz had been called up by Klopp for the Nations League quadruple-header against Netherlands, Greece (x2) and Serbia, he was initially only in consideration for the last two fixtures on October 1 and 4.
However, Germany have been forced into a U-turn.
Arsenal’s Kai Havertz and Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala both sustained injuries in the 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in Thursday, and have subsequently been forced to withdraw from the squad.
As a result, Wirtz and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Jonathan Burkardt have joined with the Germany squad earlier than planned, with images of the Liverpool star in Saturday's training session ahead of facing Greece.
It remains to be seen if Wirtz makes the matchday squad against Greece on Sunday, or if Klopp sticks with his original plan for the Liverpool star.
Nevertheless, former Reds defender Jamie Carragher is hopeful a change of scenery will help the attacking midfielder regain confidence after a slow start to the season at club level.
"The one hope for Liverpool supporters now is Jurgen Klopp is the Germany manager," Carragher said. "Wirtz goes away with the Germany team for three weeks, and he's obviously one of the best players in Germany, that's how they see him.
“Can Jurgen Klopp sprinkle a bit of stardust on him in that position?
"Jurgen is one of the greatest managers in the world, we know that. And what he gets out of players is probably more than most managers because of the nature of his personality, and fingers crossed something can happen for him.
The one hope for Liverpool supporters now is Jurgen Klopp is the Germany manager
Jamie Carragher
"There's a scenario there that Jurgen Klopp and Germany have a great international window, he gets loads of goals, assists and comes back on a high.
“Manchester City's the next game, he impacts that, all is forgotten, all is forgiven. There's a potential turnaround there.
"I would love that to happen, I'd love him to be the match-winner against Manchester City."
