Jamie Carragher has openly expressed his doubts about where Florian Wirtz could possibly fit into Jurgen Klopp's successor Andoni Iraola's Liverpool side, suggesting that the German's £116.5 million price tag might become a symbol of what could turn out to be the Premier League's most disastrous transfer window. In a scathing review of Liverpool's midfield after their 2-2 stalemate with Newcastle United, the former Liverpool defender dissected the tactical flaws he believes are hampering the Reds and explained why he thinks the club’s recent spending spree is unlikely to translate into a title challenge this season.
Carragher began by stating, "I don't believe that midfield can function with the personnel in there. For me, it doesn't work. And it's not just about personnel, it's the structure the manager is asking." He highlighted that Liverpool deployed Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai alongside Wirtz at the No 10 position at St James' Park, yet the three players appeared to operate in a way that left the centre of the pitch dangerously exposed. Instead of maintaining a disciplined double‑pivot, Szoboszlai frequently pushed forward into attacking zones, while Gravenberch also made forward runs that left gaps for Newcastle to exploit on the counter‑attack.
Drawing a parallel with Manchester City, Carragher noted that Pep Guardiola’s success often relied on a double‑pivot supported by a No 10, but also on full‑backs that drifted inside to provide additional cover. "Why did Pep always bring his full‑backs inside? Because the holding midfield player needed help to stop counter‑attacks," he argued. By contrast, Liverpool’s defensive line, particularly Virgil van Dijk, has not mirrored this approach.
Van Dijk, at 35, has tended to sit deeper rather than stepping up to close the spaces left by an overly adventurous midfield, creating what Carragher described as "big holes" that opponents can exploit. The former defender also criticized the apparent instruction from Iraola for Wirtz and Szoboszlai to "lock on" to opposition midfielders, a tactic that, while effective for Brentford against Tottenham when their centre‑backs closed the space behind, has backfired for Liverpool because Van Dijk refuses to follow suit. "You've got a situation, like at Man Utd under Erik ten Hag a few years ago – a team who want to press high but with a deep block.
That's why these big holes are appearing," Carragher explained, adding that Van Dijk "needs protecting, he needs cuddling, he needs looking after." Carragher concluded that Liverpool urgently need a genuine holding midfielder to sit alongside Gravenberch and provide the defensive stability required to blunt quick transitions. He emphasized that the new signing does not have to be a pure destroyer; the player must be comfortable on the ball, capable of running, and able to contribute to the team's build‑up play.
"Szoboszlai has to go to the No 10," he said, implying that the current configuration forces a reshuffle that could finally give Wirtz a defined role. When asked where Wirtz would slot in if a proper holding midfielder arrived, Carragher was blunt: he sees no suitable place for the German in Iraola's system. He pointed to Wirtz’s modest return last season – five goals and three assists in 33 Premier League appearances – as evidence that the player has not lived up to the lofty expectations attached to his £110‑million fee.
"I don't think there's a myth that it takes a year to settle in the Premier League," Carragher remarked, challenging the common narrative that foreign talents need extended adaptation periods. He warned that persisting with the current set‑up would be futile: "I don't see where he fits in at all, really. What's Iraola going to do with Wirtz?
You can't keep going with it, it's not working." Carragher also lamented Liverpool's defensive record from the previous campaign, when the club conceded 78 goals in all competitions – 53 in the league – the highest tally they have ever allowed in a Premier League season. He suggested that the club’s recent obsession with signing wingers and attacking players has not addressed the underlying defensive frailties. Regarding Wirtz’s valuation, Carragher argued that the German is a "neat and tidy" footballer with a lovely touch, but not a player who should command a £110 million price tag. He estimated his true market value to be closer to £50‑60 million, implying that the transfer market has become inflated and that expectations have outpaced reality.
The broader context of Liverpool’s summer spending was also examined. The Reds splashed out a staggering £445 million on a host of new signings, including Alexander Isak for a British record £125 million, Hugo Ekitike (£79 million), Milos Kerkez (£40 million), Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5 million), Giorgi Mamardashvili (£29 million) and Giovanni Leoni (£26 million). Carragher warned that this massive outlay could prove to be a strategic misstep, potentially setting Liverpool back one or two seasons as they attempt to integrate the newcomers. He warned that the window might be remembered as the worst in Premier League history, stating, "My fear is this window of 12 months ago could set Liverpool back a year or two to fix it." He contrasted the current situation with the previous era under Arne Slot, noting that the style of play then was distinct from Klopp’s high‑pressing, attacking brand and that the new manager, Iraola, has yet to find his footing at a club of Liverpool’s stature.
Looking ahead, Carragher tempered expectations, saying he would be satisfied if Liverpool qualify for the Champions League this season, allowing the manager and the new signings time to settle. He acknowledged the potential departures of key figures such as Mohamed Salah, Van Dijk (who may be on his final season), and Alisson, which could further destabilise the squad. In summary, Carragher’s analysis paints a picture of a Liverpool side in transition, hampered by an over‑ambitious transfer window, a midfield lacking balance, and a tactical approach that leaves the team vulnerable to counter‑attacks.
Unless the club secures a proper holding midfielder, repositions Szoboszlai to a true No 10 role, and perhaps re‑evaluates Wirtz’s future, the Reds are unlikely to mount a serious Premier League title challenge this campaign. The verdict is clear: without swift adjustments, Liverpool risk being remembered for one of the most ineffective transfer windows in recent English football history.