Jamie Carragher has openly questioned where Florian Wirtz could possibly fit within Liverpool’s current setup, suggesting that the £116.5 million German talent might be part of what could become the most disastrous transfer window in Premier League history. During a scathing review of Liverpool’s midfield after their 2‑2 stalemate with Newcastle, the former defender dissected the tactical flaws of new manager Andoni Iraola and argued that these issues will likely keep the Reds out of any serious title contention this season. Carragher began by stating, “I don’t believe that midfield can function with the personnel in there. For me, it simply doesn’t work.
And it isn’t just about the players – it’s the structure the manager is imposing.” He pointed out that Liverpool deployed Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai alongside Wirtz in a midfield three at St James’ Park, with the German occupying the traditional No 10 role. However, rather than operating as a disciplined double‑pivot, Szoboszlai repeatedly pushed forward into attacking zones, leaving the centre of the park exposed.
Drawing a comparison with Manchester City’s historically successful double‑pivot and No 10 system, Carragher noted, “Why does Pep Guardiola always pull his full‑backs inside? Because the holding midfielder needs support to deal with counter‑attacks.
That’s a problem for Liverpool right now.” He highlighted several moments in the game where both Szoboszlai and Gravenberch surged ahead, joining Wirtz in advanced positions and effectively vacating the midfield, which gave Newcastle the space to launch swift counters. “The three of them are always looking to go forward. That’s why it can’t work,” Carragher asserted. “I’ve never seen a Premier League side that is more offensively minded than this one.
Only the two centre‑backs seem to stay back.” He also suggested that Iraola appears to have instructed Wirtz and Szoboszlai to ‘lock on’ to opposing midfielders, a directive that has not been backed up by Liverpool’s defensive line. When discussing the defensive response, Carragher contrasted Liverpool with Brentford’s approach against Tottenham, where Brentford’s centre‑backs stepped up to cover the space left by an aggressive midfield press. In Liverpool’s case, veteran defender Virgil van Dijk chose to stay deep rather than move forward, creating a “deep block” that left the midfield vulnerable. “It’s similar to what Manchester United under Erik ten Hag tried a few years ago – a high press paired with a deep defensive block.
That creates huge gaps,” Carragher explained. “The midfield wants to lock on, but Van Dijk refuses to come with them.” Regarding Van Dijk, Carragher added, “He needs protecting, he needs cuddling, he needs looking after.” He concluded that Liverpool must bring in a true holding midfielder to shield the back line against rapid transitions. “Liverpool need someone alongside Gravenberch,” he said.
“It doesn’t have to be a player who only tackles. At a top club you need someone who can win the ball and also run. Szoboszlai should move into the No 10 role.” If Szoboszlai shifts to No 10 and a new holding midfielder partners Gravenberch, where does Wirtz fit?
Carragher believes there is no clear role for him under Iraola’s system. He reminded viewers that Wirtz managed just five goals and three assists in 33 Premier League games last season, raising doubts about whether he can ever be the solution Liverpool hoped for. “This myth that it takes a year to settle in the Premier League is largely unfounded,” Carragher argued.
“I’ve always seen this coming. When people say Wirtz has to go to No 10, that forces Szoboszlai into the team, but he isn’t a central midfielder.” He predicted that the issue would surface within weeks, and indeed it has.
“I don’t see where he fits at all,” he said. “What’s Iraola going to do with Wirtz?
You can’t keep forcing a system that isn’t working.” Carragher reminded fans that Liverpool’s defensive record last season was the worst in their Premier League history – 78 goals conceded overall and 53 in the league alone. He questioned the club’s recent focus on signing wingers, suggesting that the German could perhaps be used in a left‑flank pocket, a position he occupies for Germany, but noted that Iraola prefers energetic wide players.
He summed up his view of Wirtz with a blunt assessment: “He’s a neat, tidy footballer with a lovely touch, but not a player worth £110 million. He’s probably worth £50‑60 million.
I’m not sure what the market is expecting.” Wirtz was part of a massive £445 million spending spree by Liverpool last summer, a campaign that seemed aimed at super‑charging Arne Slot’s title‑winning side. Instead, the investment backfired, leaving Liverpool in fifth place and resulting in Slot’s dismissal. Alongside Wirtz, Liverpool also splurged on 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 warned that this transfer window could be the worst in Premier League history for a club. “My fear is this window from twelve months ago could set Liverpool back a year or two to recover,” he said.
He emphasized that last season’s problems were not about the new signings but about the shift in philosophy under Slot, who differed from Jurgen Klopp and apparently constrained his players. He continued, “We’re seeing twelve months of under‑performance from almost all these players except maybe Ekitike.
If nothing changes in the next two or three months under Iraola, we could be looking at arguably the worst transfer window ever witnessed in the Premier League.” Carragher reminded listeners that the club’s ambition was not merely to bring in good players but to build a mini‑dynasty capable of emulating Manchester City’s recent dominance or Manchester United’s earlier resurgence, where multiple league titles were secured within a few years. Given all these factors, Carragher remains pessimistic about Liverpool’s chances this season. “I don’t think Liverpool will be contenders this season,” he said. “They’re in transition.
I’m not making excuses – they’ve lost Mohamed Salah, Van Dijk may be leaving, and Alisson could be on his way out. Those three are all‑time greats for Liverpool.” He added that the new signings need time to find their footing and that Iraola must adapt to managing a club of Liverpool’s stature.
His modest benchmark for success is simply qualifying for the Champions League. “If Liverpool qualify for the Champions League this season, I’ll be happy. The manager settles in, and then maybe we can start looking at a challenge.” In summary, Carragher’s analysis paints a bleak picture: a mismatched midfield, an over‑reliance on attacking instincts, a lack of defensive cover, and a summer spending spree that may have done more harm than good. Unless Liverpool can quickly re‑balance their formation, bring in a proper holding midfielder, and find a realistic role for Wirtz, the club risks being stuck in a prolonged period of under‑achievement, possibly marking this transfer window as the most ill‑fated in Premier League annals.