Liverpool and Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz has been in the spotlight during the international break

Julian Nagelsmann says Florian Wirtz 'should be smarter' in one particular scenario after the midfielder came under fire following Germany's shock defeat to Slovakia in FIFA World Cup qualifying. The national team boss also gave a new verdict of the midfielder's summer transfer to Liverpool.

Wirtz joined Liverpool in a £116m deal from Bayer Leverkusen, which at the time was a British-record transfer. He has since been slowly settling into Arne Slot's team, starting the Community Shield and all three Premier League fixtures played so far this season.

However, the 22-year-old has only registered one assist since arriving from the Bundesliga, but will clearly be given time while he gets used to new surroundings. Nonetheless, Wirtz has been expected to play a talismanic role for Germany over the international break.

Instead, the four-time world champions suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat to Slovakia in their opening World Cup qualifier on Thursday. Liverpool's new signing is in the midst of a 'superstar crisis', according to the German media after what they deem a slow start since his move to Anfield.

It was Wirtz's loss of possession that directly led to the opposition scoring their opening goal minutes before half-time. Ahead of Germany's next fixture against Northern Ireland, Nagelsmann was asked if he had spoken to the player about this moment.

"Flo is an extremely important player for us. He tried a lot on Thursday and will try again tomorrow, which means he will play," the coach replied, confirming the Reds star is set to feature again.

"I didn't speak to him about that scene, but if I did I would've told him that he should fall to the ground because it was a clear foul. It wasn't a regular goal. You should be smarter in the situation and fall, because it was a clear foul."

He added: "It was unfortunate that we conceded a goal, but we didn't concede it because Flo argued with a player on the halfway line. There were other reasons."

Wirtz is not the only player to leave the German Bundesliga behind for the Premier League this summer. Newcastle United broke their club transfer record to sign striker Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart for £69m.

He was another involved in Germany's latest defeat, so Nagelsmann was questioned whether he personally was pleased to see such players leave their home country for England.

"I'm happy when they play a lot of games and get a lot of minutes, that's the most important thing for me," the boss said, also admitting: "It's not ideal for the German Bundesliga that the best German players are moving to England.

"But that's how it is. It's kind of normal at this period of time.

"Flo is already one of the most important players for us. Nick is too and will be in the future. I hope Nick will play regularly at Newcastle so he can develop in the right way. If they do, then they will play a big role for us"

The Reds know that Wirtz is a talented player and will only develop further under Arne Slot's stewardship with regular game time. They'll be well aware of the areas the German playmaker can get better at.

Germany's next World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland kicks off at 7:45pm on Sunday, September 7.