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. Speaking on Sky Sports’ live commentary, the former Liverpool defender described the German midfielder’s performance as “really poor again” and suggested that the player was virtually invisible on the pitch, offering nothing that could influence the game.
After the final whistle, Carragher took his criticism a step further on Sky’s bonus Jamie Carragher Podcast, stating that the Bournemouth display was "one of the poorest I’ve ever seen him in a Liverpool shirt." He argued that while Wirtz is usually praised for his tidy ball‑retention and ability to navigate tight spaces, the match against Bournemouth exposed a deeper issue – the player simply does not seem to be delivering the quality that justified his hefty transfer fee. "I’ve been critical of the fact that he hasn’t got the numbers," Carragher said, "but normally when you watch Wirtz, he’s neat and tidy, he keeps possession, there are things you like. He gets out of a tight situation where you’d normally expect your player to lose the ball." He went on to explain that his concerns are not about a temporary dip in form but rather a reflection of what he believes to be Wirtz’s true level since joining Liverpool.
"The reason I worry is, I don’t think Wirtz is in poor form since he came to Liverpool. I actually think what we’re seeing is what he is," Carragher asserted.
Carragher recalled that he had already been uneasy about Wirtz’s suitability for the Premier League a year ago, though he admitted that his doubts may have been premature at the time. He cited a recent match against Burnley, where Liverpool won thanks to a late Mo Salah penalty, as an example of the kind of unremarkable influence Wirtz has had over the past twelve 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 said. The former defender warned that the expectations placed on Wirtz – to help Liverpool capture another league title and to make a deep run in the Champions League – are simply unrealistic given his current output.
"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 explained.
Carragher also highlighted the tactical ripple effect of keeping Wirtz in the No. 10 role. By doing so, manager Andoni Iraola has been forced to deploy Dominik Szoboszlai in central midfield, a position the Hungarian is not naturally suited for.
"I don’t think Szoboszlai is a central‑midfield player," Carragher added, underscoring how one mis‑firing player can upset the balance of an entire side. Looking ahead, Carragher believes that Wirtz should not be part of the lineup when Liverpool host Manchester City on October 11. He warned that the Bournemouth game was a crucial test; failure to impress there would leave the German with a three‑week international break before a packed schedule that includes a Champions League tie against LASK, a Europa League clash with Villarreal, a Carabao Cup fourth‑round showdown with Chelsea, and a series of demanding Premier League fixtures against Brentford, Brighton and Arsenal.
"I think going forward Iraola’s got a decision to make here. Wirtz would not be in my Liverpool team," Carragher said. "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.
Before you know it, it’ll be Christmas in six to eight weeks, or it’ll feel like we’re getting to Christmas. He has to do something!" Statistically, Wirtz’s first‑half passing accuracy of 63 % was the lowest among all Liverpool players that day, with the next worst figure belonging to Alexander Isak and Milos Kerkez at 75 %.
Carragher used the numbers to argue that even average Premier League midfielders from mid‑table clubs are contributing more consistently. He cited Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall, who, despite a modest wage, scores a goal every three to four weeks, and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs‑White, who delivered a decisive 45‑minute spell against Aston Villa that Wirtz has yet to replicate for Liverpool.
"I’ve seen a goal Emiliano Buendía scored for Aston Villa at Tottenham. Again, these players aren’t going to get over £100 million, but they’re still giving their clubs bits every few weeks," Carragher observed. "Witz wouldn’t be in my Liverpool team.
Manchester City at home, for me, he can’t be in the team." Carragher also praised Iraola for his willingness to make bold personnel decisions, pointing to the recent signing of Ryan Gravenberch on a lucrative five‑year deal despite the midfielder not featuring regularly. He noted the constant shuffling of full‑backs – the abrupt dropping of Jeremie Frimpong and the intermittent use of Milos Kerkez – as evidence of Iraola’s active management of the squad.
Nevertheless, Carragher expressed a glimmer of hope that former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp could intervene during the international break. Klopp, now Germany’s manager, has selected Wirtz for the national team’s Nations League fixtures against Serbia and Greece. Carragher suggested that a successful spell with Die Mannschaft could restore Wirtz’s confidence and perhaps even add a touch of Klopp’s “stardust” to his game.
"The one hope for Liverpool supporters now is Jürgen Klopp is the Germany manager," Carragher said. "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 in that position?" He imagined a scenario where Wirtz returns from the international window brimming with goals and assists, ready to make a decisive impact against Manchester City, thereby erasing the criticism he has endured.
"I would love that to happen, I’d love him to be the match‑winner against Manchester City," Carragher concluded. In summary, Carragher’s analysis paints a bleak picture of Florian Wirtz’s current contribution to Liverpool. He argues that the player’s performances have been underwhelming, his statistical output lags behind even modest Premier League peers, and his presence disrupts the tactical balance of the side.
While he acknowledges the potential for a turnaround through a strong showing for Germany under Klopp, Carragher maintains that, as things stand, Wirtz should not be selected for the high‑stakes clash with Manchester City. The onus now lies with Andoni Iraola to make a decisive call before the next crucial fixtures arrive.