It wasn’t the start to the new Premier League season Liverpool would have hoped for as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Newcastle United.
The Magpies showed their class in what was an entertaining game for football as the Reds left it late to salvage a point thanks to a Dominik Szoboszlai penalty.
A handful of Liverpool players flattered to deceive on Tyneside, and once again, Florian Wirtz came under the limelight for his performance as he was withdrawn in the second half.
And Jamie Carragher feels the gifted German is already running out of time to prove his worth at Anfield.
Jamie Carragher delivers grim Florian Wirtz verdict for Liverpool
Wirtz started as a No.10 and struggled to get to grips with the pace of the game. He had one shot saved in the first half, but apart from that, the game largely passed by him as he was subbed off after an underwhelming performance.
Carragher feels the writing is on the wall for the former Bayer Leverkusen man at Anfield, adding that he doesn’t deserve a spot in the team on merit.
“What to do with Wirtz?” began Carragher on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.
“I’ve been seen as critical of Florian Wirtz maybe last season. This thing that it takes players a year to settle in the Premier League, I think, is a bit of a myth.
"Arguably the WORST transfer window in Premier League history" 🤯@Carra23 speaks about Liverpool's £445m spend last season and how it may have set the club back a year or two 📉 pic.twitter.com/3M6wqmpoOW
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 24, 2026
“When I see people say he’s got to be number 10, that means Szoboszlai has to be in the team in central-midfield. He is not a central-midfield player.
“I thought this would come up in six weeks; I think it’s coming up right now. I don’t see where he fits in at all. You can’t keep going with it.”
It’s too soon to write off a player, especially someone of Wirtz’s quality. However, the German needs to step up this season and deliver the goods, as he isn’t new to English football anymore.
We have all the faith in the world that Wirtz will start to dazzle at Anfield, but we need to start seeing those performances soon. By his own admission, he hasn’t delivered the goods at Liverpool, so hopefully Andoni Iraola’s arrival can lead to a change of fortunes.
David Ornstein confirms Liverpool’s stance on selling Cody Gakpo this summer
David Ornstein confirms Liverpool’s stance on selling Cody Gakpo this summer
‘Verbally agreed’ – Fabrizio Romano provides big update on Liverpool player leaving
‘Verbally agreed’ – Fabrizio Romano provides big update on Liverpool player leaving