Klopp brutally honest about Ajax goalkeeper Ter Stegen: 'It is true that he...'

Jürgen Klopp has given his honest verdict on Marc ter Stegen. Germany's head coach admits the Ajax goalkeeper had a few unfortunate moments in the build-up against the Netherlands on Thursday (1-1), but insists that takes nothing away from his display.

"I heard that Marc was judged critically and that surprised me a little," Klopp said at his press conference on Saturday. "He kept goal brilliantly. Yes, it is true that he played a wrong ball a couple of times, but that kind of thing happens."

Klopp also pointed out that Ter Stegen kept Germany in the game against the Netherlands on several occasions. "I am 0.0 per cent critical of him. I am very, very happy with his performance," said the former manager of, among others, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool.

Still, Ter Stegen will not be between the posts against Greece on Sunday. Klopp will give Alexander Nübel (Besiktas) his chance, but the head coach stressed the decision is completely unrelated to Ter Stegen's performance against the Netherlands. "Alex plays tomorrow, but not because of what Marc showed."

Instead, Klopp said Nübel has simply earned his chance. "All three goalkeepers are making a sensational impression here. I hope Alex enjoys it and ideally makes sure tomorrow that we keep a clean sheet," said the coach, who also included Finn Dahmen of FC Augsburg in his squad.

Against the Netherlands, Ter Stegen made his return to the German national team after a long period in which injuries troubled him. Ahead of his comeback, the goalkeeper had already made clear how much his return to Die Mannschaft meant to him.

"For me it is always special to be here again, especially after a period in which things did not go as I had envisaged," Ter Stegen said earlier to Sky Sport. "When your body lets you down, you appreciate it all the more when you can finally be here again."