Jamie Carragher has not been shy about his disappointment with Florian Wirtz’s showing in Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. While serving as a co‑commentator for Sky Sports, the former defender described the German midfielder’s performance as "really poor" and suggested that the club’s hierarchy should think twice about fielding him against Manchester City in the upcoming league clash.
During the first half of the match, Carragher repeatedly pointed out that Wirtz seemed invisible on the pitch. "Nothing is happening there at all," he remarked, noting that the player’s passing accuracy of just 63 per cent was the lowest among the entire Liverpool side. By contrast, the next poorest figure was a respectable 75 per cent recorded by Alexander Isak and Milos Kerkez. For a player who arrived at Anfield with a hefty transfer fee and lofty expectations, those numbers painted a bleak picture.
After the final whistle, Carragher took to the bonus "Jamie Carragher Podcast" produced by Sky Sports to elaborate on his concerns. He called the Bournemouth outing "one of the poorest I've ever seen him in a Liverpool shirt" and questioned whether Wirtz could ever fulfil the lofty ambitions that many supporters and pundits had for him. "When you watch Wirtz, you normally see a player who is neat, tidy, keeps possession and can escape tight situations without losing the ball," the ex‑defender said.
"What we’re seeing now is a different reality – a player who simply isn’t delivering the impact we paid for." Carragher admitted that his doubts about Wirtz had been simmering for about a year, even before the German made his move to England. He recalled commentating on Liverpool’s late‑winner at Burnley, where Mo Salah’s penalty sealed the win. "That game summed up the last twelve months for me – I couldn’t see how Wirtz was going to hurt anyone.
He was just… neat and tidy. For a player of his price tag, the fee should have been half of what Liverpool paid," Carragher argued. The former defender went on to explain why he believes Wirtz’s current form is not a temporary dip but rather a reflection of his true level. "The worry now is that his contributions are so low that they don’t justify the expectations we had – taking Liverpool to another league title or a deep Champions League run.
The gap he needs to close is massive, and even if he improves a little, he still won’t be the player Liverpool thought they were buying." Carragher also highlighted the tactical ripple effects of keeping Wirtz in the No. 10 role. "When he occupies that advanced midfield spot, Dominik Szoboszlai is forced to drop into central midfield – a position that isn’t his natural habitat. It disrupts the balance of the whole side," he said.
Looking ahead, Carragher warned that Wirtz should not be part of the squad that faces Manchester City on October 11 at Anfield. "I think Iraola has a decision to make. Wirtz would not be in my Liverpool team," he asserted. He added that the Bournemouth match should have been a litmus test: "If he can’t produce against Bournemouth, he’ll have a three‑week break, and by the time we return it will be October – essentially the start of the run‑in to Christmas.
He needs to do something now." To put Wirtz’s performance into perspective, Carragher compared him with several Premier League players who command far smaller wages but still deliver regular contributions. He mentioned Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall, who, while not a superstar, scores a goal every three or four games.
He also referenced Morgan Gibbs‑White’s 45‑minute burst of quality for Nottingham Forest against Aston Villa and Emiliano Buendía’s occasional goals for Aston Villa at Tottenham. "These players aren’t worth £100‑120 million, yet they give their clubs something every few weeks," Carragher noted. Carragher also praised Andoni Iraola for his willingness to make bold personnel choices, such as signing Ryan Gravenberch to a lucrative five‑year contract only to leave him on the bench.
He criticized the revolving door of full‑backs, pointing out the abrupt dropping of Jeremie Frimpong and the inconsistent use of Milos Kerkez. "Iraola will eventually have to decide what to do with Wirtz, and I hope it happens soon – not because I dislike the player, but because I want Liverpool to win," the pundit concluded. Nevertheless, Carragher offered a glimmer of hope that former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp might intervene during the international break.
Klopp, who is also the Germany manager, has selected Wirtz for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Serbia and Greece. Carragher mused that a successful spell with the German national team could rejuvenate the midfielder’s confidence. "Jurgen Klopp is one of the greatest managers in the world.
If he can sprinkle a bit of his stardust on Wirtz during the international window, perhaps we’ll see a turnaround. Imagine him returning with goals and assists, then delivering a match‑winning performance against Manchester City – that would erase all the criticism," he said. In summary, Carragher’s verdict is clear: Florian Wirtz’s Bournemouth display was far below the standards expected at Liverpool, and unless he dramatically improves, he should be omitted from the squad that faces Manchester City.
The upcoming international break, under the guidance of Jürgen Klopp, may provide the catalyst needed for a resurgence, but the pressure on the German midfielder remains immense as Liverpool head into a crucial phase of their season.