Jamie Carragher has not been shy about his disappointment with Florian Wirtz’s recent showing for Liverpool, describing the German midfielder’s performance at Bournemouth as one of the poorest he has ever witnessed in a Liverpool shirt. Speaking alongside Sky Sports’ live commentary, Carragher warned that Wirtz should not be part of the squad that faces Manchester City in the upcoming league clash. During the first half of Liverpool’s 1‑0 victory at the Vitality Stadium, Carragher, who was providing co‑commentary, repeatedly highlighted the midfielder’s lack of impact.
“Wirtz has been really poor again,” he said, adding that “nothing is happening there at all.” After the final whistle, the former Liverpool defender continued his critique on the Sky Sports‑produced Jamie Carragher Podcast, stating that the display was “one of the poorest I’ve ever seen him in a Liverpool shirt.” Carragher argued that the numbers back up his view. Wirtz’s passing accuracy in the first half was a meagre 63 percent – the lowest of any Liverpool player on the pitch. By contrast, the next worst figure belonged to Alexander Isak and Milos Kerkez, both at 75 percent.
For a player who was signed for a seven‑figure fee and billed as a future creative engine, those statistics are starkly underwhelming. He went on to explain that his concerns are not simply about a temporary dip in form. “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 said. He recalled that his doubts about the midfielder had been simmering for about a year, and that they had only intensified after watching a recent match against Burnley where Liverpool won via a late Mo Salah penalty.
“It was what I’ve seen for the last twelve months: I don’t see how he’s going to hurt you. It’s just neat and tidy,” Carragher added, suggesting that the player’s contributions are too modest to justify the hefty transfer fee.
The former defender also highlighted the broader tactical implications of keeping Wirtz in the side. When Wirtz occupies the No 10 role, Liverpool are forced to push Dominik Szoboszlai into a central‑midfield position – a spot that, in Carragher’s opinion, does not suit Szoboszlai’s skill set. “I don’t think Szoboszlai is a central‑midfield player,” he argued, pointing out that the reshuffle could weaken the team’s overall balance.
Looking ahead, Carragher warned that Liverpool’s schedule is about to become even more demanding. After a three‑week international break, the Reds will host Manchester City on October 11, followed by a series of challenging fixtures against Brentford, Brighton, and Arsenal, as well as Champions League ties with LASK and Villarreal and a Carabao Cup fourth‑round clash with Chelsea.
In his view, the Bournemouth game should have been a litmus test for Wirtz. “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 feel like Christmas.
He has to do something!” To put Wirtz’s performance into perspective, Carragher compared him with several Premier League players who command far lower wages but deliver more consistent contributions. He cited Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall, who, while far less expensive, scores a goal every three or four games. He also mentioned Morgan Gibbs‑White’s 45‑minute burst of influence for Nottingham Forest against Aston Villa, and Emiliano Buendía’s occasional match‑winning goals for Aston Villa at Tottenham.
“These players aren’t going to get over £100 million, or £120 million, but they’re still giving their clubs bits every few weeks,” Carragher noted. Carragher’s criticism extends beyond individual numbers; he also questioned the strategic decisions of Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola. He praised Iraola for his willingness to make bold choices – such as dropping full‑back Jeremie Frimpong and rotating Milos Kerkez – but warned that a decisive call on Wirtz must come soon. “I hope it’s sooner rather than later.
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 optimism on the horizon.
During the international break, Wirtz will join the German national team for Nations League fixtures under the stewardship of former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who now serves as Germany’s head coach. Carragher suggested that Klopp’s influence could provide the spark Wirtz needs. “The one hope for Liverpool supporters now is Jürgen Klopp is the Germany manager,” he remarked. “Can Jürgen sprinkle a bit of stardust on him in that position?
If he returns with goals and assists, the Manchester City game could be forgotten, and everything could be forgiven.” In summary, Carragher’s assessment paints a bleak picture of Wirtz’s current impact at Liverpool. He argues that the midfielder’s limited creativity, low passing accuracy, and inability to influence games make him an unsuitable choice for high‑stakes matches, particularly against a side as formidable as Manchester City. While the upcoming international window under Klopp may offer a chance for redemption, the former Liverpool stalwart insists that decisive action from Iraola is required if Liverpool hopes to restore balance and competitiveness in their midfield.