Jamie Carragher has openly questioned where Florian Wirtz could possibly slot into Jurgen Klopp's successor Andoni Iraola's Liverpool side, suggesting that the £116.5 million German may be emblematic of what could become the most disastrous transfer window in Premier League history. In a scathing review of Liverpool's midfield after their 2-2 stalemate with Newcastle United, the former Liverpool stalwart dissected the tactical flaws he sees in Iraola's approach and explained why he believes the Reds are unlikely to mount a genuine title challenge this season. Carragher began by stating, "I simply don't see how the midfield can operate with the players that are currently on the pitch. It isn’t just a question of individual quality; it’s the entire structure the manager is imposing that feels broken to me." He pointed to the line‑up at St James’ Park, where Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai were positioned as central midfielders while Wirtz was deployed in a traditional No 10 role.
Rather than forming a compact double‑pivot, Szoboszlai repeatedly drifted forward into attacking zones, leaving the centre of the park exposed. Drawing a parallel with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, Carragher noted that City’s success has often relied on a disciplined double‑pivot backed by a No 10, but Guardiola also pulls his full‑backs inside to provide extra cover for the holding midfielder.
"That’s why City can afford such aggressive positioning," he said. "Liverpool, on the other hand, lack that safety net, and it creates a glaring vulnerability to counter‑attacks." He highlighted several moments in the Newcastle game where both Szoboszlai and Gravenberch surged ahead, joining Wirtz in advanced positions and effectively emptying the midfield of any defensive presence.
"All three of them are obsessed with going forward," Carragher observed. "That’s why the system collapses. I have never seen a Premier League side as offensively minded as this, except perhaps the two centre‑backs who still respect defensive duties." Carragher also criticised what he perceives as an explicit instruction from Iraola for Wirtz and Szoboszlai to "lock on" to the opposition’s midfielders, a tactic that, in his view, leaves the back line exposed.
He contrasted Liverpool’s approach with Brentford’s recent triumph over Tottenham, where Brentford’s centre‑backs stepped up to close the gaps left by an aggressive press. Liverpool’s own defensive stalwart, Virgil van Dijk, chose to sit deeper rather than advance, creating a mismatch between the high press of the midfield and the deep‑lying defensive line. "It’s reminiscent of Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, a team that wanted to press high while maintaining a deep block," Carragher explained. "The result is a series of large holes that opponents can exploit.
Van Dijk’s reluctance to move up compounds the problem. He needs protection, care, and a clear role that complements the midfield’s aggression." Given these observations, Carragher argued that Liverpool urgently need a genuine holding midfielder to sit alongside Gravenberch, someone who can both win the ball and carry it forward. "It doesn’t have to be a pure destroyer who only tackles," he said.
"In a top‑flight side you need a player who can win possession, distribute intelligently, and also cover ground. Szoboszlai should be shifted back to the No 10 role, freeing up space for a more balanced midfield trio." When asked where Wirtz would fit in such a revised system, Carragher was blunt: he sees no viable position for the German in Iraola’s current setup. He pointed out Wirtz’s modest return of five goals and three assists across 33 league games last season, questioning whether a player with that output justifies a £110 million price tag. "The myth that a player needs a full season to adapt to the Premier League is overstated," Carragher argued.
"There are plenty of examples of immediate impact, and Wirtz has not delivered that." He continued, "If you keep insisting that Wirtz must occupy the No 10 slot, you inevitably force Szoboszlai out of midfield, which is not a sustainable solution. I expected this dilemma to surface within weeks, and now it’s staring us in the face." Carragher also lamented Liverpool’s broader transfer strategy.
The club splashed out a staggering £445 million last summer, bringing in not only Wirtz but also 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). While some of those signings have shown flashes of promise, the overall impact has been underwhelming, and the Reds now sit fifth after a season that saw manager Arne Slot dismissed. Carragher warned that this spending spree could be the most damaging transfer window ever witnessed by a Premier League club. "My fear is that this window will set Liverpool back by a year or two," he said.
"Last season’s failures weren’t about the players; they were about a system that never clicked under Slot, and Iraola hasn’t fixed it. Most of the newcomers have underperformed, with the exception of perhaps Ekitike, but even he hasn’t transformed the side." He added, "If the situation does not improve dramatically over the next two to three months, we may be looking at the worst transfer window in Premier League history.
The fees paid were intended to build a mini‑dynasty, akin to what Manchester City have achieved or what United attempted a decade ago. Instead, Liverpool have assembled a collection of high‑priced assets that have yet to find their footing." Looking ahead, Carragher expressed little optimism about Liverpool’s title aspirations. "I don’t see Liverpool as contenders this season," he stated.
"The club is in transition. They have lost key figures like Mohamed Salah, and Van Dijk may be on his way out—perhaps this is his final season.
Alisson, another all‑time great, could also depart. With three of the club’s legends likely leaving, the squad will need time to rebuild." He concluded on a cautiously hopeful note, "If Liverpool manage to secure a Champions League spot this campaign, I’ll be satisfied.
That would give Iraola a platform to settle, allow the new signings to adapt, and perhaps set the stage for a future challenge. But for now, the odds of a serious title push look slim."