Liverpool may have secured all three points in their narrow win over Burnley, but the display left plenty of concerns. Despite dominating possession and mounting constant pressure, the Reds struggled to break down Vincent Kompany’s disciplined side. For former defender Jamie Carragher, the problem was clear—manager Arne Slot’s team selection.
Carragher was particularly frustrated with the decision to leave Florian Wirtz out of the starting lineup once again. The German playmaker, signed to bring creativity and spark in attack, was left on the bench until late in the game. In his post-match comments, Carragher didn’t hold back:
“Liverpool’s struggles in matches like this come down to Slot’s decisions. He keeps leaving Wirtz out, and it’s damaging the team. No top coach would willingly sideline a player of his quality. It’s disrupting everything up front.”
The “Wirtz Dilemma”
When Liverpool signed Wirtz, expectations were huge. He was tipped to be the creative link between Mohamed Salah and record signing Alexander Isak, forming a dangerous attacking trio. However, Slot has consistently favored a more balanced midfield, often at the expense of Wirtz’s inclusion.
That was the case again against Burnley. While Liverpool created openings, they lacked the killer pass until Wirtz was introduced. By then, frustration had already taken hold, and several chances had gone begging.
Carragher’s Strong Warning
Carragher described Slot’s approach as a major tactical mistake:
“You’ve got one of Europe’s most talented playmakers sitting on the bench while the team is crying out for creativity. It’s almost criminal. Wirtz should be one of the first names on the team sheet.”
He went further, suggesting that Slot risks upsetting the dressing room if Wirtz continues to be overlooked—a situation that could harm team morale in the long run.
Fans Share the Frustration
Supporters were quick to echo Carragher’s criticism online. Many argued that Liverpool looked toothless until Wirtz’s introduction. One fan summed it up:
“Bench Wirtz, and you bench our creativity. Slot is overthinking it.”
Others accused Slot of being overly cautious, claiming his reluctance to unleash Wirtz is preventing Liverpool’s new-look attack from reaching its potential.
The Road Ahead
With bigger challenges approaching, pressure is mounting on Slot to change his approach. As rivals like Manchester City and Arsenal continue to score freely, Liverpool can’t afford to keep misfiring in front of goal.
