Jamie Carragher has openly questioned whether Florian Wirtz can ever find a suitable place in Jürgen Klopp's successor Andoni Iraola's Liverpool side, suggesting that the £116.5 million German 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 during their 2‑2 stalemate with Newcastle United, the former defender dissected the tactical flaws he believes are holding the Reds back from any realistic title challenge this season. Carragher began by stating his fundamental belief that the current midfield configuration simply cannot operate with the players on the pitch.
“I don’t think that midfield works with the personnel we have,” he said. “It isn’t just a question of who is on the field; it’s the whole structure the manager is demanding.” At St James’ Park Liverpool deployed Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai in central roles while slotting Wirtz in the traditional No 10 position. In practice, however, Szoboszlai spent a great deal of time drifting forward into attacking zones rather than holding a disciplined double‑pivot, leaving the central area exposed.
The former England international drew a comparison with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, noting that City’s success often stems from a double‑pivot that is supported by full‑backs who cut inside to provide extra cover. “Why does Guardiola always bring his full‑backs inside?” Carragher asked. “Because the holding midfielder needs help to shut down counter‑attacks.
That’s a problem for Liverpool right now.” He highlighted several moments where both Gravenberch and Szoboszlai surged ahead, joining Wirtz in the final third and consequently abandoning the midfield shell. This, Carragher argued, handed Newcastle the space they needed to launch quick breaks. “All three of them are thinking about going forward,” he observed.
“I have never seen a Premier League side that is so offensively minded, with the exception of the two centre‑backs, who rarely push up.” Carragher also suggested that Iraola appears to be instructing Wirtz and Szoboszlai to “lock on” to opposing midfielders, a tactic that would normally require the centre‑backs to drop deeper to seal the gaps. In Brentford’s recent victory over Tottenham, the team succeeded with a similar high‑press because their defenders stepped up to close the space behind. Liverpool’s veteran defender Virgil van Dijk, however, chose to stay deeper, creating a mismatch between the press and the defensive line. “The situation is reminiscent of Manchester United under Erik ten Hag a few seasons ago – a team that pressed high but kept a deep block behind,” Carragher explained.
“That’s why you see these huge holes. The midfielders want to lock on, but Van Dijk isn’t moving with them.” He went on to stress that Van Dijk, at 35, needs careful management: “He needs protecting, he needs cuddling, he needs looking after.” Given the structural issues, Carragher argued that Liverpool must acquire a dedicated holding midfielder to provide a shield against rapid transitions. “Liverpool need someone alongside Gravenberch,” he said.
“It doesn’t have to be a pure destroyer who never touches the ball. In a top club you still need a player who can win the ball and distribute it, but you also need someone with stamina to cover ground.” He added that Szoboszlai should move into the No 10 role, leaving the question of where Wirtz would fit. When pressed about Wirtz’s future, Carragher was blunt: he sees no clear role for the German in Iraola’s system.
Wirtz’s statistics from last season – five goals and three assists in 33 league appearances – do not justify a £110 million price tag, in Carragher’s view. “The myth that it takes a year to settle in the Premier League is just that – a myth,” he said.
“I’ve always thought this would surface quickly. I don’t see where he fits at all.” He further criticised the club’s recent spending spree, which saw Liverpool drop a staggering £445 million on new signings, including Alexander Isak for a record £125 million, Hugo Ekitike for £79 million, Milos Kerkez for £40 million, Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5 million, goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili for £29 million and Giovanni Leoni for £26 million. While the summer window was intended to boost Arne Slot’s title‑contending side, the reality has been a fifth‑place finish and the sacking of Slot. Carragher warned that this transfer window could be remembered as the worst in Premier League history for a single club.
“My fear is that this window from twelve months ago could set Liverpool back a year or two to fix it,” he warned. “Last season it wasn’t about these players; it was about Slot’s style. Now we have twelve months of under‑performance from almost every new signing except perhaps Ekitike.” He added that if the squad does not improve within the next two or three months under Iraola, the window will likely be labeled the most disastrous ever. He reminded listeners that Liverpool’s ambition was not simply to add talent but to build a mini‑dynasty capable of emulating Manchester City’s recent dominance or Manchester United’s early‑2000s run of three titles in five years.
With key figures like Mohamed Salah, Van Dijk (who may be leaving), and Alisson possibly on their way out, Carragher doubts Liverpool can be serious challengers this season. “I don’t think Liverpool will be contenders this season,” he concluded. “They are in transition.
If they make the Champions League, I’ll be satisfied; otherwise, they need time to settle and maybe then they can look at challenging again."