Füllkrug shrugs off Klopp's age remarks after second straight brace against Mainz

Füllkrug brushes off Klopp's age comments

Werder Bremen striker Niclas Füllkrug continued his push for a return to the Germany national team on Saturday, scoring his second consecutive brace in a 3-2 Bundesliga win over Mainz. Both goals came from the penalty spot.

Klopp's remarks on age

After the game, Füllkrug was asked about Jürgen Klopp's recent comments about his international prospects. The Germany coach had made a pointed remark about the West Ham loanee's age on Wednesday, telling DAZN: "Niclas Füllkrug scores goal after goal in the Bundesliga, but he's 33. That's not my fault."

Klopp added: "We have the present, the medium-term future and the long-term future. In the present, it can of course work; in the medium term, possibly as well. Long term, well, we'll have to see."

Füllkrug: 'It didn't motivate me any extra'

Asked about Klopp's comments on Saturday, Füllkrug replied: "He listed facts, nothing more. I'm 33 and I'm scoring goal after goal. There was no opinion attached to it. It didn't motivate me any extra."

"I don't play to get called up. I play for Werder. I can't say anything – what am I supposed to say? I don't know anything. Anything I say could be wrong or jumping the gun. Honestly, it's of no interest to me," he stated firmly.

Eight goals in seven league games

With his brace against Mainz, the 33-year-old has now scored eight goals in seven Bundesliga appearances for Werder since returning to the club.

Background

Klopp first raised the issue of Füllkrug's age in earlier comments on Wednesday, when he said that the striker's form had to be weighed against his long-term place in Germany's plans. Germany return to action in November with an away fixture against Serbia, before hosting the Netherlands.