Jamie Carragher has openly criticised Florian Wirtz after what he described as the German midfielder's worst display in a Liverpool shirt during their 1-0 victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Speaking on Sky Sports' live commentary, Carragher did not mince words, stating that Wirtz "has been really poor again" and that "nothing is happening there at all". His frustration continued after the match, where he argued that Wirtz is unlikely to ever fulfil the lofty expectations that many had for him at Anfield.
During the post‑match segment of the Jamie Carragher Podcast, the former Liverpool defender went further, calling the performance "one of the poorest I've ever seen him in a Liverpool shirt". He acknowledged that while Wirtz often shows tidy ball‑control and can navigate tight spaces, the recent showing suggested a deeper issue.
"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’re normally expecting your player to lose the ball." However, Carragher argued that the current display might simply be a true reflection of Wirtz's abilities rather than a temporary dip in form. He recalled his own doubts about the player a year ago, noting that at the time he kept those concerns "in the back of my head". Reflecting on a previous Liverpool away win at Burnley, Carragher observed that Wirtz's style had been consistently "neat and tidy" over the past twelve months, a quality that, in his view, does not justify the hefty transfer fee Liverpool paid for the midfielder.
The former defender warned that Wirtz's contributions have been far below the level required to help Liverpool chase another Premier League title or a Champions League trophy. "The gap he has to close to almost justify what people were expecting is huge," Carragher said.
"Even if he improves a little, it’s still not what Liverpool thought they were getting." Carragher also highlighted the ripple effect of Wirtz's under‑performance on the rest of the squad. Because Wirtz has been deployed in the No.10 role, other players such as Dominik Szoboszlai have been forced into unfamiliar central‑midfield positions, a move Carragher believes is detrimental. "I don’t think Szoboszlai is a central‑midfield player," he added. Looking ahead, Liverpool face a demanding schedule after a three‑week international break.
Their next Premier League test will be a high‑profile clash with Manchester City at Anfield on October 11, broadcast live on Sky Sports. In addition, Andoni Iraola’s side must also navigate fixtures against Brentford, Brighton, and a trip to Arsenal at the Emirates. On the continental stage, Liverpool have Champions League ties with LASK and Villarreal, plus a Carabao Cup fourth‑round showdown with Chelsea.
Carragher was unequivocal about Wirtz’s place in the lineup for the City game. "I think going forward Iraola’s got a decision to make here. Wirtz would not be in my Liverpool team," he said. He argued that the Bournemouth match should have been a turning point for the German midfielder; failing to deliver there would leave him with a three‑week break before the next crucial fixtures, and time will not be on his side.
"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 being 75% (recorded by Alexander Isak and Milos Kerkez).
Carragher used this data point to argue that even mid‑table Premier League players can often outperform Wirtz. He cited Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall, who, while not commanding a £120m price tag, scores regularly and contributes consistently. He also mentioned Morgan Gibbs‑White’s impact for Nottingham Forest and Emiliano Buendía’s goal for Aston Villa against Tottenham, both of whom deliver value without the astronomical wages.
The former defender also praised Iraola for making bold decisions, such as signing Ryan Gravenberch on a lucrative five‑year deal despite the midfielder not yet featuring regularly. He noted the constant shuffling of full‑backs, including the abrupt dropping of Jeremie Frimpong and the in‑and‑out status of Milos Kerkez, as evidence of Iraola’s willingness to experiment. Nevertheless, Carragher stressed 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.
Amid the criticism, there is a glimmer of hope. Jurgen Klopp, now managing the German national team, has selected Wirtz for upcoming Nations League matches. This three‑week international window could provide the midfielder with a confidence boost and a chance to showcase his talents on a different stage. Carragher speculated that Klopp’s legendary man‑management skills might work a bit of "stardust" on Wirtz, potentially sparking a resurgence.
"The one hope for Liverpool supporters now is Jurgen Klopp is the Germany manager," Carragher remarked. "Wirtz 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 Jurgen Klopp sprinkle a bit of stardust on him in that position?" If Wirtz returns from international duty with a string of goals and assists, Carragher believes Liverpool could benefit greatly in the upcoming clash with Manchester City.
"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. There’s a potential turnaround there," he said, adding that he would love to see Wirtz become the match‑winner against the champions. In summary, Carragher’s assessment paints a picture of a highly‑priced midfielder who has yet to justify his cost, whose under‑performance is affecting the team’s tactical balance, and whose future at Liverpool hangs in the balance as the club prepares for a pivotal run of fixtures.
The next few weeks, including the international break and the looming Manchester City showdown, will be critical in determining whether Florian Wirtz can turn the tide or whether Liverpool will need to consider alternative options in the midfield.