Jamie Carragher has voiced serious doubts about the place of Florian Wirtz in Jurgen Klopp's successor Andoni Iraola's Liverpool side, suggesting that the £116.5 million German could become a symbol of what might be the Premier League's most disastrous transfer window. In his scathing post‑match analysis of Liverpool's 2-2 stalemate with Newcastle United, the former defender dissected the Reds' midfield structure, highlighted tactical flaws, and warned that the current setup could derail any realistic title aspirations this season. Carragher opened by stating that the midfield, as assembled, simply cannot operate effectively with the players selected.
He argued that the issue is not merely the individual talent on the pitch but the overall framework imposed by the manager. "I don't believe that midfield can function with the personnel in there," he said, adding that the structure demanded by Iraola is fundamentally flawed. On the night in question Liverpool deployed Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai alongside Wirtz, who was positioned as a traditional No 10. Rather than anchoring a double‑pivot, Szoboszlai repeatedly surged forward into attacking zones, leaving the centre of the park exposed.
Carragher compared this to the successful double‑pivot used by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, noting that Guardiola often pulls his full‑backs inside to shield the holding midfielder and curb counter‑attacks. In Liverpool’s case, the lack of a disciplined defensive shield creates a glaring vulnerability. The former England international illustrated several moments where both Szoboszlai and Gravenberch abandoned their defensive responsibilities to join Wirtz in advanced positions, effectively emptying the midfield and gifting Newcastle space to launch swift counters.
"All they think about is going forwards. All three of them. And that's why it can't work," Carragher observed, emphasizing that such an overtly offensive mindset is unprecedented in the Premier League, with the exception of the two centre‑backs who remain more restrained.
Carragher also pointed out that Iraola appears to have instructed Wirtz and Szoboszlai to "lock on" to opposition midfielders, a directive that, in his view, leaves the defence exposed. He contrasted this with Brentford’s recent triumph over Tottenham, where the club’s centre‑backs stepped up to close the gaps created by an aggressive press. Liverpool’s own veteran defender, Virgil van Dijk, chose to sit deeper instead of covering the spaces, a decision Carragher likened to the approach of Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United, where a high press is paired with a deep defensive block. "That's why these big holes are appearing.
The midfield players want to lock on and Van Dijk does not want to come with them," he explained, adding that the Dutchman "needs protecting, he needs cuddling, he needs looking after." Given these observations, Carragher argued that Liverpool urgently require a true holding midfielder to partner Gravenberch and provide a shield against rapid transitions. He suggested that the new recruit does not need to be a pure destroyer; rather, the player should be comfortable on the ball, capable of driving forward, and able to link play.
"Szoboszlai has to go to the No 10," he added, implying that the creative responsibilities should shift away from the Hungarian. When asked where Wirtz would fit in such a revised system, Carragher was blunt: he sees no suitable role for the German under Iraola’s current plan. Wirtz’s modest return of five goals and three assists in 33 league appearances last season fuels his skepticism. "I don't think there's too many examples where it takes a year to settle in the Premier League," Carragher said, dismissing the myth of a long adaptation period.
He warned that persisting with Wirtz in a mis‑aligned role could be disastrous, noting that Liverpool conceded a record 78 goals across all competitions last season, 53 of which came in the league – the highest tally in their Premier League history. Carragher criticized the club’s recent spending spree, which saw Liverpool shell out £445 million on a host of high‑profile signings, including Alexander Isak (£125 m), Hugo Ekitike (£79 m), Milos Kerkez (£40 m), Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5 m), Giorgi Mamardashvili (£29 m) and Giovanni Leoni (£26 m).
While the intention was to build a dynasty capable of emulating Manchester City’s dominance, the reality appears starkly different. "My fear is this window of 12 months ago could set Liverpool back a year or two to fix it," he warned, suggesting that the summer could be remembered as the worst transfer window ever for a Premier League side. Carragher also highlighted that the failures are not solely about individual players but also about the shift in philosophy after the departure of Arne Slot.
Slot’s style, which emphasized fluid, possession‑based football, differed markedly from Klopp’s high‑intensity approach, and Iraola’s preference for energetic wingers further marginalises a player like Wirtz, who thrives in a more central, creative pocket. "I don't think we're seeing a massive underperformance.
I think what we've seen for a year is probably what he is, which is a neat and tidy footballer. Not a player who should be worth £110 m, someone who probably should be £50 m‑60 m," Carragher remarked, questioning the valuation of the German talent. In conclusion, Carragher remains pessimistic about Liverpool’s title chances this season. With the loss of Mohamed Salah, the potential departure of Van Dijk, and the uncertain future of Alisson, the club faces a transitional period fraught with challenges.
He tempered his outlook by saying that qualifying for the Champions League would be a satisfactory achievement, allowing the manager and new signings time to settle. Until then, the combination of a flawed midfield structure, an ill‑suited marquee signing, and a massive financial outlay could see Liverpool languish outside the top‑four race, marking what many may remember as a historic misstep in the transfer market.