Jamie Carragher has openly questioned 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 most disastrous transfer window in Premier League history. In a scathing analysis of Liverpool's midfield during their 2‑2 stalemate with Newcastle United, the former defender highlighted a fundamental flaw in the new manager's tactical blueprint and warned that the club’s ambitions of challenging for the title appear out of reach this season.
Carragher began by stating his belief that the current midfield configuration simply cannot operate with the players selected. "I don't think that midfield can function with the personnel we have," he said.
"It’s not just a question of the individuals – it’s the structure that the manager is demanding that makes it unworkable." At St James' Park, Liverpool deployed Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai alongside Florian Wirtz, who was positioned as a number 10. Rather than anchoring the centre of the park, Szoboszlai repeatedly drifted forward into attacking zones, leaving the midfield thin and exposing the defence to rapid counters. The former England international drew a comparison with Manchester City, noting that Pep Guardiola’s success has often relied on a double‑pivot paired with a dedicated playmaker, while also pulling his full‑backs inside to shield against counter‑attacks. "Why does Pep always bring his full‑backs inside?
Because the holding midfielder needs help to stop the opposition on the break," Carragher explained. "That’s a problem for Liverpool right now." He illustrated his point with footage of both Szoboszlai and Gravenberch charging ahead to join Wirtz, effectively emptying the midfield and granting Newcastle space to launch swift transitions. "All three of them think only about going forward. That’s why it can’t work," he argued.
"I have never seen a Premier League side so offensively minded – the only players who stay back are the two centre‑backs." Carragher also suggested that Iraola appears to have instructed Wirtz and Szoboszlai to "lock on" to opposing midfielders, a tactic that worked for Brentford against Tottenham because their centre‑backs stepped up to cover the vacated space. Liverpool’s own defensive stalwart, Virgil van Dijk, chose to remain deep instead of advancing, creating a dangerous gap. "It’s similar to what Manchester United did under Erik ten Hag a few years ago – a high‑pressing team with a deep defensive block," Carragher said.
"The midfield wants to lock on, but Van Dijk won’t come with them, leaving huge holes." On Van Dijk, Carragher was protective, stating, "He needs looking after, he needs cuddling, he needs protecting." He concluded that Liverpool must acquire a genuine holding midfielder to plug the vulnerability against quick breaks. "Liverpool need someone alongside Gravenberch," he insisted.
"It doesn’t have to be a player who only tackles; he must be comfortable on the ball and have the stamina to run." If a proper defensive midfielder arrives and Szoboszlai shifts to a true number 10 role, the question remains: where does Wirtz fit? Carragher sees no clear position for the German in Iraola’s system.
He pointed out Wirtz’s modest output last season – five goals and three assists in 33 league appearances – and argued that expecting him to be a game‑changing figure is unrealistic. "The myth that it takes a year to settle in the Premier League is just that – a myth," he said. "I’ve always thought that if Szoboszlai moves to number 10, Wirtz becomes redundant." Carragher warned that Liverpool’s defensive record last season – 78 goals conceded overall, 53 in the league, the highest ever in a Premier League campaign for the club – combined with an over‑reliance on wingers, signals deeper issues. He doubted the suitability of placing Wirtz in a left‑side pocket, a role he occupies for Germany, because Iraola prefers energetic wide players.
"Wirtz is a neat, tidy footballer with a lovely touch, but he’s not worth £110 million. He’s more in the £50‑60 million range," Carragher argued, suggesting the market valuation is inflated. The German was part of a massive £445 million spending spree that also brought in Alexander Isak (£125 million, a Premier League record), Hugo Ekitike (£79 million), Milos Kerkez (£40 million), Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5 million), Giorgi Mamardashvili (£29 million) and Giovanni Leoni (£26 million). Carragher believes this window may have done more harm than good, potentially becoming the worst summer of business ever seen in the league.
"My fear is that this window could set Liverpool back a year or two," he warned. He noted that the previous season’s under‑performance was not about the new signings but about the shift in philosophy under Arne Slot, who was replaced by Iraola after a disappointing finish. "We’ve seen 12 months of under‑performance from almost every new player except maybe Ekitike," Carragher said.
"If things don’t improve in the next two or three months, this could be labelled the worst transfer window in Premier League history." Carragher reminded fans that Liverpool’s recent signings were meant to build a dynasty, akin to the dominance Manchester City has enjoyed or the resurgence Manchester United achieved a few years ago. Instead, the club finished fifth, Slot was sacked, and the new cohort has yet to find its footing.
"I don’t think Liverpool will be contenders this season," he concluded. "They are in transition, they have lost Mohamed Salah, Van Dijk may be on his way out, and Alisson is also nearing the end of his Liverpool career.
If they can qualify for the Champions League, that would be a success, but a serious title challenge looks unlikely at this stage."