Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp defends 'world-class' Mesut Ozil after Steven Gerrard called Arsenal star 'a liability'

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Jurgen Klopp has stoutly defended countryman Mesut Ozil against a barrage of recent criticism, describing the Arsenal playmaker as 'an outstandingly skilled boy.'

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard described World Cup-winning Ozil as a 'liability' after last week's defeat at Stoke and while not referring to any individuals in particular, Klopp — whose side face Arsenal at Anfield — said he didn't know why the 28-year-old was regularly made a scapegoat in England.

'I remember the 3-3 we played against Arsenal here. Without Ozil and Olivier Giroud, we would have won 3-0. One long ball, Giroud gave it to Mesut and it was five players on him, no chance. He is an outstandingly skilled boy.

Mesut Ozil was the subject of more high-profile criticism following Arsenal's defeat by Stoke

The German playmaker was labelled a 'liability' by Liverpool youth coach Steven Gerrard

'I don't watch Arsenal often enough to be right to have an opinion about it. If people are not happy with him, I don't know why.'

Klopp says Ozil, often lambasted for not helping out defensively, is seen in a more positive light in his homeland. 

'There is no doubt in Germany about the quality of Mesut Ozil. Germany is really blessed with a lot of world-class players in his position and he is a fix in the German national team, so that should be a sign.

Jurgen Klopp says Ozil, lambasted in England, is seen in a positive light in his native Germany

'Jogi Low sticks to the players he is successful with but not when other players offer more so he was always a very, very important player for Germany. He won the World Cup with Germany so I don't know why people give him the criticism.'

Ozil has scored only one goal in the last 11 games for Arsenal but Klopp still sees him as a danger-man along with Alexis Sanchez who is ready to return for his first action of the season. 

'I think he will play,' said Klopp, who refused to comment on parallels between Sanchez's situation at Arsenal and Liverpool's own fight to keep Philippe Coutinho at Barcelona.

'Because he doesn't defend? I don't understand. When we stop here, we have the analysis meeting and then we analyse what Arsenal did in the last two games. 

'After that I can maybe say, ok, Mesut was involved in one or two defensive situations. I don't know to talk about it in public.'

Klopp expects Alexis Sanchez to make an anticipated return to Arsenal on Sunday