Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has defended Florian Wirtz, saying his Liverpool teammates need to do better to finish the chances he creates.

Liverpool broke the British transfer record to sign Wirtz over the summer, paying Bayer Leverkusen £116million – a fee that has since been eclipsed by Arne Slot’s purchase of Alexander Isak.

But while regarded as one of the best young players in the world, the attacking midfielder hasn’t hit the ground running at Anfield.

The 22-year-old has just one goal contribution in 10 games this season – an assist on his debut in the Community Shield loss to Crystal Palace in August.

And after failing to score or assist in his opening seven Premier League appearances, rival fans have given him the derogatory ‘007’ nickname.

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