Jamie Carragher has not held back his criticism of Florian Wirtz after the German midfielder’s underwhelming display in Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Speaking on Sky Sports’ live commentary, Carragher described the performance as "really poor" and said there was "nothing happening" from Wirtz during the first half. He went on to argue that the midfielder’s showing was among the weakest he has ever seen while wearing a Liverpool shirt, and he doubts that Wirtz is capable of influencing a forthcoming clash with Manchester City.
During the post‑match analysis on the Jamie Carragher Podcast, the former Liverpool defender elaborated on his concerns. He acknowledged that Wirtz’s statistical output has been modest, but he also noted that the player usually exhibits a tidy, possession‑oriented style that should, in theory, help Liverpool control games. "Normally when you watch Wirtz, he keeps the ball, finds space and avoids losing possession in tight situations," Carragher said. "What worries me is that what we’re seeing now may simply be the true level of his contribution, not a temporary dip in form." Carragher admitted that he had been uneasy about Wirtz’s impact for roughly a year, but he refrained from voicing those doubts publicly until now.
He recalled a recent away game at Burnley, where Liverpool secured a late penalty win through Mohamed Salah. "That match summed up what I’ve been seeing for the past twelve months – Wirtz is neat and tidy but not decisive.
In my view, a player with his profile should cost far less than the fee Liverpool paid," he argued. The former defender warned that the expectations placed on Wirtz are unrealistic. Liverpool signed the German as a potential catalyst for another Premier League title and a deep run in the Champions League, yet Carragher believes the gap between those aspirations and Wirtz’s current output is too large to bridge.
Even if the midfielder improves marginally, Carragher doubts he will ever match the level that justified his record transfer fee. Beyond the individual critique, Carragher highlighted a tactical ripple effect. When Wirtz occupies the No.
10 role, it forces Dominik Szoboszlai to shift into central midfield – a position the Hungarian has never truly mastered. "Szoboszlai is not a central‑midfield player, and moving him there disrupts the balance of the side," Carragher explained.
Looking ahead, Liverpool face a packed schedule after the three‑week international break. Their next Premier League test is a high‑stakes encounter with Manchester City at Anfield on October 11, followed by fixtures against Brentford, Brighton, and a trip to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. In Europe, they will meet LASK and Villarreal in the Champions League, and they have a Carabao Cup fourth‑round tie against Chelsea.
Carragher is unequivocal: he does not want Witz to start against City. "I think Iraola has a decision to make.
Wirtz would not be in my Liverpool side," he said. He argued that the Bournemouth match should have been a turning point for the German, and that failure to produce a spark there leaves little hope for a quick turnaround before the crucial October fixtures.
Statistically, Witz’s first‑half passing accuracy of 63% was the lowest among all Liverpool players, well below the next worst figure of 75% posted by Alexander Isak and Milos Kerkez. Carragher used this data point to compare Witz with more modest, mid‑table Premier League talents.
He cited Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall, who, despite a modest wage, scores regularly, and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs‑White, who delivered a decisive 45‑minute performance against Aston Villa – something Carragher claims Witz has never managed for Liverpool. He also mentioned Emiliano Buendía’s occasional goal for Aston Villa at Tottenham as another example of a player who contributes meaningfully without a blockbuster price tag. "These players aren’t worth £100‑120 million, yet they deliver for their clubs every few weeks. Witz doesn’t fit that mold," Carragher asserted.
Carragher praised Andoni Iraola for his willingness to make bold selections, such as signing Ryan Gravenberch on a lucrative five‑year deal, only to leave him on the bench. He also noted the revolving door at full‑back, with Jeremie Frimpong dropped early and Milos Kerkez in and out of the lineup. However, Carragher warned that Iraola must soon decide whether to persist with Witz or cut his losses.
"I hope the decision comes quickly. It’s not that I dislike Witz – I want him to succeed – but Liverpool need results," he said.
There is a glimmer of hope, according to Carragher, in the form of Jurgen Klopp, who is currently managing the German national team. Klopp has selected Witz for Germany’s upcoming Nations League fixtures, giving the midfielder a three‑week spell with his country before the club’s busy October calendar.
Carragher speculated that a strong showing for Germany could rejuvenate Witz’s confidence and form. "Klopp is one of the greatest managers in the world.
If he can sprinkle a bit of his magic on Witz during the international break, we might see a turnaround," Carragher mused. He imagined a scenario where Witz returns from the international window brimming with goals and assists, ready to make an impact against Manchester City and erase the doubts that have plagued his Liverpool tenure. "If he can become the match‑winner against City, everything would be forgiven," Carragher concluded.
In summary, Carragher’s assessment paints a bleak picture of Florian Witz’s current contribution to Liverpool. He argues that the midfielder’s performances have been sub‑par, his statistical output lags behind even modest Premier League peers, and his presence disrupts the team’s tactical balance.
While the upcoming international break offers a potential lifeline, the former defender stresses that decisive action from the club’s hierarchy is required sooner rather than later if Liverpool are to maintain their ambitions in the league, Europe, and domestic cups.