Speculation over Adam Wharton's future is growing after his superb performance in the Conference League final, but Jamie Carragher isn't convinced he would be the ideal signing for Liverpool
06:00, 29 May 2026
Jamie CARRAGHER, former player of Liverpool during the training session of Paris at Campus PSG on May 20, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Jamie Carragher expressed a concern over Adam Wharton signing for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
The clamor for Adam Wharton is growing after his masterclass in the Conference League final.
The midfielder produced a superb display to guide Crystal Palace to its first-ever European trophy after beating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in Leipzig on Wednesday. Wharton took home the player of the match award, having produced a display that has led to more glowing reviews from pundits and even comparisons to Trent Alexander-Arnold.
It has also resulted in transfer speculation growing, with Liverpool among those linked. The Reds look as though they could be in the market for a new midfielder, and Wharton does look as though he could be the ideal candidate for the Reds.
Not everyone is convinced, though. In fact, Jamie Carragher is concerned that the England international - who has surprisingly not earned a call-up for this summer’s World Cup — wouldn’t solve some of the big issues that have plagued Liverpool this season.
The Reds’ midfield has faced serious questions amid what has been a poor campaign, with Alexis Mac Allister in particular coming under serious scrutiny. A new face in the engine room is therefore seen by many as a priority this summer, but Liverpool’s former vice-captain is not convinced Wharton is the answer.
“Am I worried about where Liverpool are going? Yeah, I am,” Carragher said earlier this month. “I said off-air, a big thing will be what they do in midfield.
Adam Wharton delivered a masterclass in the Conference League final
Adam Wharton delivered a masterclass in the Conference League final(Image: Getty Images)
“If a really technical footballer came in there, that might worry me a little bit. I think Liverpool need a bit more physicality.
“Let's think in the Premier League. Adam Wharton. Lovely footballer, wand of a left foot. I'd really worry about him running back to my own goal on a counter-attack.
“I think it will be really interesting who Liverpool buy in the summer. What the profile of player will be. Going for just good players hasn't worked, it's blown up in their face.”
While Carragher has reservations, others seem more convinced, with former Reds striker Emile Heskey among those to have called for Liverpool to make a move for Wharton.
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"I think Liverpool do need more of a sitting midfielder like Adam Wharton," Heskey told OLBG in February. "I do feel that we need options in there, and I think Wharton gives you that really good option in midfield as a six.
"He's left-footed, so having someone in there that can really dominate, and he's a fantastic passer of the ball too. That's what you need for Liverpool because you're going to get a lot of the ball.”
Liverpool.com says: Even with Carragher’s reservations, it would be foolish of Liverpool not to be in the race for Wharton if he is available this summer.
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That is a big if, and we know from the Marc Guehi saga last summer that Palace won’t make things easy, but Wharton is a player who would improve Liverpool in both defense and attack — he might be just what the Reds are looking for this summer.