Klopp’s Germany striker pecking order puts Havertz first and Fullkrug third

Jurgen Klopp has Kai Havertz at the top of his Germany striking options, while Bundesliga top scorer Niclas Fullkrug is only third in the manager’s current pecking order, according to Sport Bild.

Havertz, 27, remains Klopp’s clear first choice, having occupied the same position under former Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann. Klopp values the Arsenal forward’s tactical understanding, game intelligence and experience at the highest European and international levels.

Havertz has also recovered from the muscle injury he suffered during Klopp’s first appearance as Germany manager in Amsterdam and is ready to return to action.

The biggest surprise is Younes Ben Taleb’s position ahead of Fullkrug. The 23-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt forward has been called up to each of Klopp’s previous two camps after impressing for his club.

Although Ben Taleb did not make a notable impact in his early Germany appearances, his club form has strengthened his case. He has scored 8 goals and provided 2 assists in 11 official matches for Eintracht Frankfurt, making him one of the Bundesliga’s leading emerging players this season.

Fullkrug is third despite having the stronger scoring record. The 33-year-old Werder Bremen striker has scored 9 Bundesliga goals and added 3 more in the German Cup, making him the highest-scoring German forward this season.

He was left out of Klopp’s first squad but has since returned for Germany’s Nations League matches against Serbia and the Netherlands. It remains unclear what role he will be given in those two fixtures.

Klopp has said performance, rather than age, is the main factor behind his selection decisions. However, Fullkrug’s position behind Havertz and Ben Taleb shows that leading the scoring charts has not been enough to make him the manager’s preferred starter.

Jonathan Burkardt is fourth in Klopp’s ranking, although the Eintracht Frankfurt forward was omitted from the latest squad. Burkardt scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Paderborn, but his failure to score in the previous four league matches may have contributed to his exclusion.

Nick Woltemade is fifth after a difficult year that included a loan spell at Juventus. He recently scored his first goal in Serie A. Klopp appreciates the 24-year-old’s technical ability and quality on the ball, but believes he must become more threatening in front of goal. Woltemade has missed out for the first time since making his Germany debut in June 2025.

Deniz Undav, the Stuttgart captain, is sixth after a drop in form compared with last season. He has scored only 2 goals in 15 matches, following a campaign in which he recorded 25 goals and 14 assists. Klopp told him personally in September that his omission was not permanent, but said he needed to regain full physical fitness.