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 suggested that nothing of substance was happening when Wirtz was on the ball.
After the match, Carragher went even further, stating that the display was perhaps the poorest he had ever witnessed from Wirtz while wearing a Liverpool shirt, and he questioned whether the player should be selected for the upcoming clash with Manchester City. During his analysis on the Jamie Carragher Podcast, the pundit emphasized that Wirtz’s statistics have been underwhelming. He pointed out that, despite the midfielder’s reputation for tidy possession work and an ability to escape tight situations, the numbers from the Bournemouth game painted a different picture. "He doesn’t have the numbers you’d expect," Carragher said.
"Usually you see him keep the ball, make the right passes, and avoid losing possession, but this time it was almost the opposite." Carragher admitted that his concerns about Wirtz began roughly a year ago, but he had kept those doubts to himself. He recalled commentating on Liverpool’s away win at Burnley, where a late Mo Salah penalty secured the three points. "When I watched that game, it summed up what I’ve been seeing for the last twelve months – a player who is neat and tidy but doesn’t seem to add any real value," he explained.
"For a player who cost Liverpool a huge fee, you would expect a greater impact." The former defender argued that Liverpool’s expectations for Wirtz were unrealistic. The club had hoped the German would be a catalyst for another Premier League title and a deep run in the Champions League. "The gap between what we expected and what he’s delivering is massive," Carragher said.
"Even if he improves a little, it still won’t match what Liverpool thought they were buying." Carragher also highlighted the tactical ripple effect of Wirtz’s struggles. When Wirtz occupies the No.10 role, Liverpool are forced to reshuffle other players, notably pushing Dominik Szoboszlai into a central midfield position – a role the Hungarian is not naturally suited for.
"Szoboszlai is an attacking midfielder, not a central‑midfield workhorse," Carragher noted. "Putting him there disrupts the balance of the team." Looking ahead, Carragher warned that Wirtz should not be part of the lineup when Liverpool host Manchester City on October 11. He described the Bournemouth fixture as a crucial test for the German. "If he can’t deliver against Bournemouth, he has a three‑week break, then the season rushes on towards Christmas," Carragher said.
"He needs to do something, and fast." Statistically, Wirtz’s passing accuracy of 63% in the first half was the lowest among all Liverpool players, well below the next worst figure of 75% posted by Alexander Isak and Milos Kerkez. Carragher compared him unfavourably with more modest Premier League players. He cited Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall, who, while not commanding a seven‑figure salary, consistently contributes goals and assists.
He also mentioned Morgan Gibbs‑White’s impactful 45‑minute spell for Nottingham Forest against Aston Villa, and Emiliano Buendía’s occasional brilliance for Aston Villa at Tottenham – players who, despite lower market values, make regular contributions. Carragher praised Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola for his willingness to make bold decisions, such as signing Ryan Gravenberch on a lucrative five‑year deal despite the midfielder not yet featuring regularly. He also noted the constant rotation in the full‑back positions, with Jeremie Frimpong dropped and Milos Kerkez shuffled in and out.
However, Carragher urged Iraola to reach a decision regarding Wirtz sooner rather than later. "I’m not against Wirtz as a player; I just want Liverpool to win," he said.
"If he can’t help us, we need to consider alternatives." There is a glimmer of hope, according to Carragher, in the form of former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp, who now manages the German national team. Klopp has selected Wirtz for Germany’s upcoming Nations League fixtures, giving the midfielder a three‑week international break. Carragher speculated that a successful spell with Die Mannschaft could rejuvenate Wirtz’s confidence. "Klopp is one of the greatest managers in the world," Carragher said.
"If he can sprinkle a bit of his magic on Wirtz, maybe the player will return with goals and assists, ready to face City." In summary, Carragher’s verdict is clear: Wirtz’s current output does not justify a place in the starting XI against a side of Manchester City’s calibre. While the German midfielder possesses technical ability, his recent performances have fallen short of the lofty expectations set by his transfer fee and the promises made by Liverpool’s hierarchy. The next few weeks, including his involvement with the German national team, will be pivotal in determining whether he can turn the tide or whether Liverpool will need to look elsewhere to fill the creative void in their midfield.