Jamie Carragher has delivered a brutal verdict on Florian Wirtz following Liverpool’s hard-fought 1–0 victory over Bournemouth, insisting Andoni Iraola now has a major decision to make over the £100m+ playmaker. 👀
Wirtz endured a frustrating afternoon at the Vitality Stadium, struggling to influence the game as Liverpool battled their way to another three points. Alexander Isak eventually produced the decisive moment in the second half, but Wirtz remained under the spotlight after another performance that failed to provide the attacking impact Liverpool expected from their record signing.
Carragher was particularly scathing, describing the Bournemouth display as one of the poorest he has seen from Wirtz in a Liverpool shirt. 😬
The former Liverpool defender’s concern, however, goes much deeper than one bad afternoon.
According to Carragher, Wirtz’s problem may not simply be a temporary dip in form. He questioned whether Liverpool are actually seeing the level Wirtz can consistently produce, arguing that the gap between his current performances and the enormous expectations surrounding his transfer has become increasingly difficult to ignore.
📉 And the numbers from Bournemouth made uncomfortable reading.
Wirtz recorded just 63% passing accuracy in the first half, the lowest of any Liverpool player during that period, before being substituted with around 20 minutes remaining.
Even Iraola acknowledged that Wirtz started the match slowly, although the Liverpool boss felt the German improved after the opening stages and found better positions in the second half.
But Carragher believes improvement alone may not be enough.
🧩 The tactical issue is also becoming a major talking point.
When Wirtz operates as the No.10, Carragher argues that Dominik Szoboszlai is pushed into central midfield, a role he does not believe suits the Hungarian as well as his more advanced position.
That means Iraola isn’t simply deciding whether Wirtz plays or doesn’t play. He is also deciding how Liverpool’s entire midfield structure should look. 🔥
And then comes the biggest bombshell…
💣 Carragher DOES NOT want Wirtz starting against Manchester City.
Liverpool return from the international break with a huge Anfield showdown against City on October 11, followed by a demanding run of fixtures that also includes Arsenal, Brentford and Brighton, plus Champions League and Carabao Cup commitments.
Carragher believes Iraola has already shown that he is willing to make difficult selection decisions, pointing to changes involving Ryan Gravenberch and Liverpool’s full-back positions.
Now, he says, Wirtz could be next. 👀
🇩🇪 There is, however, one intriguing opportunity for the German.
Wirtz is set to link up with Germany during the international break under former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. Carragher suggested that Klopp could help Wirtz rediscover the confidence and attacking influence that made Liverpool spend more than £100m to bring him to Anfield.
Imagine the storyline… 😮💨🔥
Wirtz leaves Liverpool under enormous pressure, produces a big international break with Germany, returns to Anfield rejuvenated and then delivers against Manchester City.
Suddenly, the entire conversation changes.
But if he struggles again when Liverpool return?
The pressure will only get louder. 🔴👀
For now, one thing is certain: Liverpool’s biggest signing is facing one of the most important periods of his Anfield career, and Carragher has made his position crystal clear.
Wirtz has to start producing. The clock is ticking. ⏳🔥
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