Jamie Carragher has not been shy about his disappointment with Florian Wirtz’s recent showing for Liverpool, describing it as one of the worst performances he has witnessed from the German midfielder while wearing the Reds’ shirt. Speaking on Sky Sports during Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, Carragher minced no words. He said, "Wirtz has been really poor again – it’s just nothing. Nothing is happening there at all." The former Liverpool defender went on to argue that the midfielder’s display fell far short of the lofty expectations that accompanied his £120 million arrival.
In the aftermath of the match, Carragher continued his critique on the bonus "Jamie Carragher Podcast" produced by Sky Sports. He labelled the Bournemouth outing as "one of the poorest I’ve ever seen him in a Liverpool shirt," adding that while Wirtz is technically tidy on the ball and can escape tight spots, the overall impact on the pitch is minimal. "I’ve been critical of the fact that he hasn’t got the numbers, but normally when you watch Wirtz he’s neat and tidy, he keeps possession, there’s things that you like.
He gets out of a tight situation where you’re normally expecting your player to lose the ball," Carragher explained. Yet he warned that the player’s current form might simply reflect his true level rather than a temporary slump.
Carragher recalled his concerns from roughly a year ago, saying they may have been premature but have now resurfaced. He referenced a previous Liverpool away win at Burnley, where a late Mo Salah penalty sealed the game. "When I was watching that game it was what I’ve seen for the last 12 months: I don’t see how he’s going to hurt you. It’s just neat and tidy.
And in some way, the price tag for that type of player should be half of what Liverpool have paid," he argued. The former defender stressed that the expectations placed on Wirtz were massive – fans and the board hoped he would help Liverpool chase another Premier League title and a Champions League trophy. "The gap he’s got to close to almost justify what people were expecting is too big.
Even if he improves a bit, it’s still not what Liverpool thought they were getting," Carragher warned. Beyond the individual criticism, Carragher highlighted the ripple effect on the squad. He noted that when Wirtz occupies the number 10 role, it forces Dominik Szoboszlai to shift into central midfield – a position that does not suit the Hungarian playmaker.
"I don’t think Szoboszlai is a central‑midfield player," Carragher said, suggesting that the tactical reshuffle weakens Liverpool’s overall balance. Looking ahead, Carragher believes Wirtz should not be selected for the upcoming clash with Manchester City on 11 October, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
He urged Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola to make a decisive call. "I think going forward Iraola’s got a decision to make here.
Wirtz would not be in my Liverpool team," Carragher insisted. He argued that the Bournemouth game was a crucial test for the German midfielder. "If he doesn’t produce against Bournemouth, he’s then going to have a three‑week break.
By the time we come back, we’re into October. He has to do something!" Carragher warned that the calendar quickly moves toward the festive period, leaving little time for a turnaround.
Statistically, Wirtz’s first‑half passing accuracy of 63 percent was the lowest among all Liverpool players that day, well below the next poorest figure of 75 percent posted by Alexander Isak and Milos Kerkez. Carragher used this data point to compare Wirtz with more modest Premier League talents.
He cited Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall, who, despite a far lower wage, consistently contributes goals every few weeks. He also mentioned Morgan Gibbs‑White’s 45‑minute burst of influence for Nottingham Forest at Aston Villa and Emiliano Buendía’s occasional match‑winning strikes for Aston Villa against Tottenham.
"These players aren’t going to get over £100 million, but they’re still giving their clubs bits every few weeks," Carragher observed, implying that Wirtz’s output should be at least comparable, if not superior, given his price tag. Carragher also praised Iraola for making bold personnel decisions, such as signing Ryan Gravenberch to a lucrative five‑year contract while still leaving him out of the starting eleven. He noted the frequent changes at full‑back, including the immediate dropping of Jeremie Frimpong and the in‑and‑out rotation of Milos Kerkez, as evidence of Iraola’s willingness to experiment. However, he warned that a decision on Wirtz’s future must come soon.
"I hope it’s sooner. Not because I don’t like Florian Wirtz – I’m desperate for the kid to do well – I just want Liverpool to win," Carragher concluded. Amid the criticism, Carragher offered a glimmer of hope: the possibility that former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, now Germany’s head coach, could work some of his famed “stardust” on Wirtz during the international break. Klopp has selected the midfielder for Germany’s upcoming Nations League fixtures against Serbia and Greece, providing Wirtz with a three‑week hiatus from club duties.
Carragher mused, "Witz goes away with the Germany team for three weeks, and he’s obviously one of the best players in Germany, that’s how they see him. Can Jürgen Klopp sprinkle a bit of stardust on him?" He suggested that a successful spell with the national side – scoring goals, providing assists, and returning with confidence – could rejuvenate Wirtz just in time for the decisive Manchester City encounter. In summary, Carragher’s verdict is clear: Florian Wirtz’s current contributions are far below the standards expected of a £120 million acquisition.
His lackluster passing, limited goal involvement, and the tactical compromises forced on teammates have raised serious doubts about his suitability for high‑stakes matches, particularly against a side like Manchester City. While the international break may offer a chance for redemption under Klopp’s guidance, Liverpool’s management faces a pressing decision – either persist with a player who has yet to justify his fee or make a bold move to restore balance and ambition to a squad still yearning for silverware.