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 from the Sky Sports commentary box, the former Liverpool defender described the German midfielder’s performance as "really poor again" and said that "nothing was happening" in the first half. Carragher went on to argue that Wirtz’s display was among the weakest he has ever witnessed while wearing the Liverpool shirt, and he warned that the player should not be selected for the upcoming clash with Manchester City.
During the post‑match analysis on the Jamie Carragher Podcast, the pundit elaborated on his concerns. He acknowledged that, on paper, Wirtz possesses the technical qualities that make him an attractive acquisition: he is tidy on the ball, retains possession well and can extricate himself from tight situations that would normally see a player lose the ball.
However, Carragher stressed that the reality on the pitch has been far less impressive. "I’ve been critical of the fact that he hasn’t got the numbers," he 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’re normally expecting your player to lose the ball." The former defender went on to say that his worries about Wirtz date back about a year, even if he never voiced them publicly at the time. He recalled commentating on Liverpool’s away win at Burnley, where a late Mo Salah penalty sealed the three points. "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," Carragher argued. Carragher believes the expectations placed on Wirtz have been wildly unrealistic.
Liverpool signed the German for a reported £120 million with the hope that he would help the club win another Premier League title and make a serious push in the Champions League. "The gap he has to close to almost justify what people were expecting is, I think, too big. Even if he improves a bit, it’s still not what Liverpool thought they were getting," he warned. The criticism does not stop at Wirtz alone.
Carragher pointed out the ripple effect his under‑performance has on the rest of the squad. Because Wirtz is being deployed in the No 10 role, Dominik Szoboszlai has been forced into a central‑midfield position – a spot that, in Carragher’s view, does not suit his natural abilities.
"I don’t think Szoboszlai is a central‑midfield player," he said, emphasizing that the tactical reshuffle is compromising the team’s balance. Looking ahead, Carragher is adamant that Wirtz should not feature when Liverpool host Manchester City on 11 October. He argued that the Bournemouth game was a crucial test for the German midfielder, and his failure to make an impact should be a red flag for manager Andoni Iraola.
"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 urged.
Statistically, Wirtz’s passing accuracy of 63 percent in the first half was the lowest among all Liverpool players, well below the next poorest figure of 75 percent recorded by Alexander Isak and Milos Kerkez. Carragher used this data point to illustrate that even average Premier League midfielders from mid‑table clubs are delivering more consistent performances. He cited Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall, who, while not commanding a seven‑figure salary, scores a goal every three or four games, and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs‑White, who produced a 45‑minute burst of quality against Aston Villa that Wirtz has yet to replicate for Liverpool. He also mentioned Emiliano Buendía’s occasional brilliance for Aston Villa as another benchmark of value.
Carragher praised Iraola for making bold decisions – such as signing Ryan Gravenberch to a lucrative five‑year deal and rotating full‑backs like Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez – but warned that a decisive call 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," he said. There is, however, a glimmer of hope. Jurgen Klopp, who now manages the German national team, has selected Wirtz for Germany’s upcoming Nations League fixtures.
Carragher speculated that a successful international spell could rejuvenate the midfielder’s confidence. "The one hope for Liverpool supporters now is Jurgen Klopp is the Germany manager," he remarked. "Can Jurgen Klopp sprinkle a bit of stardust on him in that position?" If Wirtz returns from the international break with goals and assists to his name, Carragher believes he could still turn the tide before the Manchester City showdown. "There’s a scenario where Jurgen Klopp and Germany have a great international window, he gets loads of goals, assists and comes back on a high.
Manchester City’s the next game, he impacts that, all is forgotten, all is forgiven," Carragher concluded, adding that he would love to see the German become the match‑winner against the champions. In summary, Carragher’s assessment is clear: Wirtz’s current contributions fall far short of the lofty expectations set by his transfer fee and the promises made by Liverpool’s hierarchy. Until he can consistently influence games, produce a higher passing accuracy, and justify his place in the starting eleven, the former defender believes the club should consider alternative options for the crucial fixtures ahead, especially the high‑stakes encounter with Manchester City.