Jamie Carragher has voiced serious doubts about where Florian Wirtz could fit into Liverpool’s setup, suggesting that the £116.5 million German might be a symptom of what could become the Premier League’s most disastrous transfer window. During a scathing review of the Reds’ midfield after their 2‑2 draw with Newcastle, the former defender highlighted a fundamental flaw in new manager Andoni Iraola’s tactical blueprint, arguing it will likely prevent Liverpool from mounting a genuine title challenge this season. Carragher began by questioning the very structure of Liverpool’s midfield. “I don’t believe that midfield can function with the personnel they have,” he said.
“For me, it just doesn’t work – and it isn’t only about the players, it’s about the system the manager is imposing.” In the Newcastle game, Liverpool deployed Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai in central midfield while slotting Florian Wirtz into the No 10 role. Rather than operating as a traditional double pivot, Szoboszlai frequently pushed forward into attacking zones, leaving the midfield unbalanced.
Carragher pointed out that successful teams like Manchester City have used a double‑pivot with a dedicated No 10, but they also pull their full‑backs inside to provide extra cover. “Why does Pep Guardiola always bring his full‑backs inside? Because the holding midfielder needs help to stop counter‑attacks,” Carragher explained, noting that Liverpool lack that defensive shield. He illustrated his point with video clips showing Szoboszlai and Gravenberch repeatedly surging ahead to join Wirtz, effectively emptying the middle of the park and handing Newcastle space to launch quick counters.
“All three of them are thinking about going forward,” Carragher observed. “That’s why it can’t work. I’ve never seen a Premier League side so offensively minded that the only two players not constantly pushing are the centre‑backs.” Carragher also suggested that Iraola appears to be instructing Wirtz and Szoboszlai to “lock on” to opposition midfielders, a tactic that can leave dangerous gaps behind.
He contrasted this with Brentford’s recent success against Tottenham, where their centre‑backs stepped up to close the space left by an aggressive press. Liverpool’s own veteran defender Virgil van Dijk, however, stayed deep, creating a mismatch between the high press and a deep defensive line. “It’s like Manchester United under Erik ten Hag a few years ago – a team that wants to press high but sits in a deep block.
That’s why big holes appear. The midfield wants to lock on, but Van Dijk isn’t moving with them,” Carragher said. On Van Dijk, Carragher was blunt: “He needs protecting, he needs cuddling, he needs looking after.” He argued that Liverpool must bring in a true holding midfielder to give the team more solidity against rapid transitions. “Liverpool need someone alongside Gravenberch,” he asserted.
“It doesn’t have to be a player who only tackles and stops attacks. At a top club you need someone who can win the ball and also run.
Szoboszlai should move to the No 10 role.” If a defensive midfielder is added and Szoboszlai shifts to No 10, where does Wirtz go? Carragher sees no suitable role for the German under Iraola’s current system.
He reminded listeners that Wirtz managed only five goals and three assists in 33 Premier League appearances last season, raising doubts about his value. “The myth that it takes a year to settle in the Premier League is just that – a myth,” Carragher said. “I’ve always thought this would surface within six weeks, and now it’s happening. I don’t see where he fits at all.” He questioned Iraola’s plans for Wirtz, noting the manager’s preference for wingers with high‑energy runs up and down the flanks.
“I almost thought you could tuck him into a left‑hand pocket, as he does for Germany, but Iraola loves wingers. I don’t think we’re seeing massive under‑performance; we’re seeing a neat, tidy footballer – not a player worth £110 million, maybe £50‑60 million. He’s a lovely touch, but the expectations are unrealistic.” Wirtz was part of a staggering £445 million spending spree by Liverpool last summer, intended to boost Arne Slot’s title‑winning ambitions. Instead, the campaign ended with Liverpool finishing fifth, Slot being dismissed, and a raft of high‑profile signings failing to deliver.
In addition to Wirtz, Liverpool splurged on Alexander Isak (£125 million, a Premier League record), Hugo Ekitike (£79 million), Milos Kerkez (£40 million), Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5 million), goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili (£29 million) and Giovanni Leoni (£26 million). Carragher warned that this window could be the most damaging in Premier League history. “My fear is this window could set Liverpool back a year or two,” he said. “Last season wasn’t about these players; it was about Arne Slot’s style.
He’s not Klopp, and his approach has held the squad back. We’re now looking at twelve months of under‑performance from almost every new signing except maybe Ekitike.” He added that if Liverpool do not turn things around in the next two or three months under Iraola, the summer could be remembered as the worst transfer window ever for a Premier League club. “When you consider the fees and the ambition – to build a little dynasty like City’s or United’s recent runs – it’s a massive disappointment,” Carragher lamented. “Liverpool won the league two years ago; these signings were supposed to replicate what City have done over the last few years.” Given all this, Carragher is skeptical about Liverpool’s title hopes.
“I don’t think Liverpool will be contenders this season,” he stated. “They’re in transition. I’m not making excuses – they’ve lost Mohamed Salah, Van Dijk may be on his way out, and Alisson could be leaving. Those three are all‑time greats for the club.
In twelve months they may not be there, and the new signings still need to find their feet while Iraola finds his own footing at a big club.” He concluded on a slightly more hopeful note: “If Liverpool qualify for the Champions League this season, I’ll be happy. The manager settles in, the new players adapt, and then maybe we can look to challenge again.”