Jamie Carragher has openly questioned where Florian Wirtz could possibly fit into Jurgen Klopp's successor Andoni Iraola's Liverpool side, suggesting that the £116.5 million German may be a key element of what could become the Premier League's most disastrous transfer window. During a scathing review of Liverpool's midfield after their 2-2 stalemate with Newcastle United, the former Liverpool stalwart dissected the tactical flaws he believes are crippling the Reds.
Carragher argued that the new manager’s system, combined with the personnel on the pitch, leaves the team ill‑equipped to mount a serious title challenge this season. "I simply cannot see the midfield working with the players they have," Carragher said. "It’s not just a matter of individual quality; it’s the structure the manager is demanding." At St James’ Park Liverpool deployed Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai in central midfield, with Florian Wirtz positioned as a No 10.
Rather than forming a disciplined double‑pivot, Szoboszlai frequently drifted into advanced zones, leaving the midfield unbalanced. Carragher highlighted that successful teams such as Manchester City have historically paired a solid double‑pivot with a creative No 10, but he warned that Liverpool’s approach lacked the necessary defensive cover. "Why does Pep Guardiola always pull his full‑backs inside?
Because his holding midfielder needs help to shut down counter‑attacks. That’s a glaring problem for Liverpool right now," Carragher explained.
He illustrated how both Szoboszlai and Gravenberch repeatedly surged forward to join Wirtz, effectively emptying the middle of the park and granting Newcastle space to launch quick breaks. "All three of them are obsessed with going forward.
That’s why the system collapses," he added. "I have never seen a Premier League side where every midfielder thinks purely offensively – only the two centre‑backs seemed to stay back." Carragher also pointed out that Iraola appears to have instructed Wirtz and Szoboszlai to “lock on” to the opposition’s midfielders, a tactic that worked for Brentford against Tottenham because their centre‑backs dropped deep to cover the gaps.
Liverpool’s own defensive linchpin, Virgil van Dijk, chose to stay higher, leaving a dangerous void between the back line and the midfield. "It’s reminiscent of the early Erik ten Hag Manchester United side – a team that wanted to press high while sitting deep behind.
That mismatch creates huge holes," Carragher observed. He added that Van Dijk now "needs protecting, cuddling, looking after" – a thinly veiled reference to the Dutchman's waning mobility and the need for additional cover. Given these deficiencies, Carragher argued that Liverpool must act in the January market to acquire a true holding midfielder who can shield the defence and break up opposition attacks.
"They need someone alongside Gravenberch," he said. "It doesn’t have to be a pure destroyer who never gets on the ball.
In a top‑flight side you need a midfielder who can win the ball, distribute it, and also cover ground." He suggested that Szoboszlai should shift into the No 10 role, freeing up a more defensively disciplined player to sit deeper. This raises the question of where Wirtz would fit. Carragher is blunt: he sees no viable position for the German under Iraola’s current setup. Wirtz’s statistics from last season – five goals and three assists in 33 Premier League games – do not inspire confidence.
Carragher dismissed the myth that it takes a full year for a player to adapt to English football, arguing that there are few examples to support such a claim. "When people say Wirtz must become a No 10, that forces Szoboszlai out of midfield, and he isn’t a central midfielder at all," Carragher noted.
"I thought this issue would surface within six weeks – it’s happening now. I simply don’t see a role for him." He criticised the club’s recent transfer policy, pointing out that Liverpool conceded 78 goals across all competitions last season, 53 of them in the league – the highest total they have ever allowed in a Premier League campaign.
"Now the focus is on buying wingers, but the problem is deeper," he said. Carragher described Wirtz as a "neat and tidy" player with a lovely touch, but argued that his market value should be closer to £50‑60 million rather than the £110 million tag Liverpool paid. He believes the expectations placed on him are unrealistic given his skill set and the tactical demands of the current system.
The German’s arrival was part of a massive £445 million spending spree last summer, intended to bolster Arne Slot’s title‑challenging squad. The window also saw the signings of Alexander Isak for a British record £125 million, Hugo Ekitike for £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 spending binge may have done more harm than good, potentially becoming the worst transfer window ever for a Premier League club. "My fear is that this window could set Liverpool back a year or two as they try to sort it out," he said. He reminded listeners that last season’s failures were not solely about the new signings; they stemmed from a change in philosophy under Slot, whose style differed markedly from Klopp’s high‑pressing, attacking blueprint. "We’re now looking at twelve months of under‑performance from almost every new player except perhaps Ekitike," he added.
If the squad does not improve quickly under Iraola, Carragher believes Liverpool could be labelled as having experienced the most ill‑fated transfer window in Premier League history. He compared the club’s ambitions to those of Manchester City and the recent resurgence of Manchester United, noting that Liverpool’s recent acquisitions were meant to create a mini‑dynasty capable of winning multiple titles in a short span.
Given the current reality, Carragher has little optimism about Liverpool’s title hopes. "I don’t think Liverpool will be contenders this season," he said. "They are in transition." He also highlighted the looming departures of key figures: Mohamed Salah may leave, Van Dijk could be on his way out, and Alisson’s future remains uncertain.
With three of Liverpool’s all‑time greats potentially departing, the club faces a massive rebuild. Carragher concluded with a modest goal: qualifying for the Champions League would be a satisfactory achievement. "If they make the Champions League, I’ll be happy. The manager needs time to settle, the new signings need to find their feet, and then maybe we can talk about challenging for honours again." In summary, Jamie Carragher’s analysis paints a bleak picture of Liverpool’s midfield configuration, the questionable role of Florian Wirtz, and a summer transfer window that may rank among the worst in Premier League annals.
The club must act decisively in the winter market, re‑evaluate its tactical approach, and perhaps reconsider the valuation of its marquee signings if it hopes to return to the summit of English football.