Jamie Carragher has not been shy about his disappointment with Florian Wirtz’s display in Liverpool’s recent away fixture at Bournemouth. Speaking on Sky Sports’ live commentary, the former Liverpool defender described the German midfielder’s showing as "one of the poorest I have ever seen him in a Liverpool shirt" and warned that he would not be fit to line up against Manchester City in the upcoming league clash. During the first half of the 1-0 victory at the Vitality Stadium, Carragher repeatedly highlighted the lack of impact Wirtz had on the game.
"Wirtz has been really poor again," he said, adding that nothing seemed to be happening when the player was on the ball. After the final whistle, the pundit went further, suggesting that the midfielder might never reach the lofty expectations that surrounded his £120 million transfer to Anfield. In the bonus episode of the Jamie Carragher Podcast produced by Sky Sports, he elaborated on his concerns.
He noted that while Wirtz is normally tidy with the ball, capable of keeping possession and escaping tight situations, his recent performances have been flat and uninspiring. "I don’t think Wirtz is in poor form since he came to Liverpool; I think this is what he actually is," Carragher remarked, recalling that he had harboured doubts about the player’s suitability for the Premier League as far back as a year ago.
Carragher recalled watching Liverpool’s away win at Burnley, a match that ended with a late Mo Salah penalty. "What I saw over the last twelve months is a player who is neat and tidy but never really threatens a defence," he said.
"For a player that cost Liverpool a six‑figure sum, the price tag feels far too high for the output we are getting." He argued that the expectations placed on Wirtz were unrealistic. The club had hoped he would help Liverpool chase another Premier League crown and make a deep run in the Champions League. "The gap he needs to close to justify those expectations is massive. Even if he improves a little, he will still fall short of what Liverpool thought they were buying," Carragher warned.
The ramifications of keeping Wirtz in the No 10 role, Carragher explained, extend beyond his own performances. It forces Dominik Szoboszlai to operate in central midfield – a position the Hungarian is not comfortable in. "Szoboszlai is not a central‑midfield player," Carragher asserted, highlighting a tactical mismatch that could undermine the whole side.
Looking ahead, Carragher believes manager Andoni Iraola faces a tough decision. "Wirtz would not be in my Liverpool team when we face Manchester City," he said, stressing that the Bournemouth game was a crucial test. "If he cannot produce against Bournemouth, he will head into a three‑week break, and by the time we return in October, the season will be racing towards Christmas.
He must do something now." Statistically, Wirtz’s numbers were stark. His passing accuracy in the first half was just 63 percent, the lowest of any Liverpool player on the pitch.
The next worst figure belonged to Alexander Isak and Milos Kerkez at 75 percent. Carragher compared Wirtz to more modest Premier League players, such as Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall, who, despite a far lower market value, scores regularly for his club.
He also cited Morgan Gibbs‑White’s impact for Nottingham Forest and Emiliano Buendía’s occasional brilliance for Aston Villa as examples of players who contribute consistently without the astronomical price tag. Carragher praised Iraola for his willingness to make bold choices, pointing to the recent signing of Ryan Gravenberch on a lucrative five‑year deal that has yet to see the Dutchman feature regularly. He also noted the constant reshuffling of full‑backs, including the swift dropping of Jeremie Frimpong and the intermittent use of Milos Kerkez, as evidence of Iraola’s decisive approach. Nevertheless, Carragher urged Iraola to act swiftly regarding Wirtz.
"I hope the decision comes soon, not because I dislike Wirtz – I actually want the kid to succeed – but because Liverpool need to win," he said. There is a glimmer of hope, however. Jurgen Klopp, now Germany’s manager, has called up Wirtz for the national team’s Nations League fixtures.
Carragher speculated that a successful international window could rejuvenate the midfielder. "Klopp is one of the greatest managers in the world; perhaps he can sprinkle a bit of stardust on Wirtz," he mused. "If Wirtz returns from Germany full of goals and assists, the Manchester City game could be a turning point and all the criticism could be forgotten." In summary, Carragher’s verdict is clear: Florian Wirtz’s current output is far below what Liverpool paid for him, and unless he dramatically improves – either through a confidence‑boosting spell with Germany or a decisive managerial change – he should not be selected for the high‑stakes clash against Manchester City. The upcoming fixtures, including a packed schedule of Premier League matches, Champions League ties against LASK and Villarreal, and a Carabao Cup showdown with Chelsea, will test both the player and the club’s patience.
The next few weeks will determine whether Wirtz can rediscover the form that once made him one of Europe’s most coveted talents, or whether Liverpool must look elsewhere to fill the creative void in their midfield.