Carragher claims the German has ‘resembled a useful squad addition’ rather than ‘a game-changer who cost £115m’ but his success or failure could be tied to a wider issue in the Premier League
Bookmark popover
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool looks on during the pre-season friendly match against Comoopen image in gallery
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool looks on during the pre-season friendly match against Como (Getty)
Your support helps us to tell the story
Read moreSupport Now
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
**Your support makes all the difference.**Read more
Jamie Carragher has admitted that he has doubts over whether Florian Wirtz can succeed in the Premier League, with the former Liverpool defender questioning whether the German “possesses the tools to overcome the physical challenge”.
Wirtz, who arrived at Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen last summer in a deal worth £115m, failed to hit the ground running last term as Liverpool struggled, with their title defence falling apart as Arne Slot eventually left the club at the end of the season.
While the German showed flashes of what he was capable of at times, he was unable to string together a run of form as the Reds fell to a fifth-placed finish.
And former Liverpool defender Carragher has questioned whether Wirtz will be able to make his mark on the league ahead of what he calls a “make-or-break season” for the German.
“The jury is out on whether he possesses the tools to overcome the physical challenge. I must admit, I have my doubts,” wrote Carragher in a column for the Telegraph.
“When he joined Liverpool, the hope at Anfield was that Wirtz would dominate in the same manner as Kevin De Bruyne did. But the German does not have the athleticism or running and shooting power of De Bruyne.
open image in gallery
(Getty)
“Even at his best, Wirtz has looked ‘neat and tidy’ rather than the killer in and around the penalty box one would have expected given his fee and reputation. He has resembled a useful squad addition for about £40m rather than a game-changer who cost £115m,” added Carragher.
Carragher pointed to the fact that Wirtz’s “backers” claim it can often take a season to settle into English football, though he also underlined that Wirtz could once again find himself pushed out of position – or out of the side entirely – if defensive issues remain unsolved.
“If Wirtz does not have the desired impact in the early games this season, it is not difficult to foresee history repeating itself and Iraola realising he must compromise attacking romanticism for pragmatism,” wrote Carragher, referencing the fact that Slot was forced to play the German on the left wing rather than as an attacking midfielder last season.
“Given [Andoni] Iraola sets up his side with out-and-out wingers, such circumstances would raise serious doubts about Wirtz’s future,” added Carragher.
While Wirtz was part of a seemingly impressive summer window that included the signings of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, only Ekitike managed to make an impression as the Liverpool finished 25 points behind champions Arsenal.
The Reds will face Newcastle at St James’ Park in their first game of the 2026/27 season, with that match taking place on Sunday, 23 August at 4.30pm.