Jurgen Klopp has leaped to Mesut Ozil’s defence after the Arsenal star was heavily criticised by Steven Gerrard for his role in the Gunners’ defeat to Stoke.
The Liverpool boss welcomes Arsene Wenger’s men to Anfield on Sunday, with Arsenal looking to bounce back from defeat at the Britannia Stadium.
In the aftermath of the loss to Mark Hughes’ side, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard was quick to slam Ozil for his performance.
‘When the ball is turned over he offers his team-mates zero,’ he said. ‘Away from home he’s a liability – he just doesn’t do enough.’
While Gerrard was unimpressed with the 28-year-old, Klopp wholeheartedly disagreed with the notion Ozil’s a ‘liability’ and he heaped praise onto his compatriot.
‘I remember the 3-3 draw we played here in January last year,’ he said. If Arsenal played that day without Ozil and Olivier Giroud, we’d have won 3-0.
‘From one long ball Giroud gave it to Mesut and there were five players on him, but we had no chance.
‘He is an outstandingly skilled boy. If people aren’t happy with him, I don’t know why.
‘There is no doubt in Germany about the quality of Mesut Ozil.
‘Germany is really blessed with a lot of world-class or close to world-class players in his position – but he is first pick in the national team so that should be a sign because Joachim Low sticks to the players he’s successful with.
‘So he’s always a very important player for Germany and I don’t know why people criticise him.’
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