Florian Wirtz is yet to show his full potential at Liverpool after being signed for a huge fee, and Jamie Carragher is unconvinced about the German and his role in the team
Liverpool attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.
Liverpool attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.(Image: Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Jamie Carragher has questioned whether Florian Wirtz can ever live up to the $157 million (£116 million) price tag at Liverpool, with a major midfield decision potentially looming.
Wirtz and Alexander Isak struggled against Newcastle on the opening weekend of the season, with neither having played to their full potential in their debut campaign. Getting more from the duo is a priority for new head coach Andoni Iraola, who must also work out how to get the right balance in the center with Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch to consider too.
"I just don't believe that midfield can function with the personnel in there," Carragher said on Sky Sports Monday Night Football. "I'm not saying that on the back of this game. I've said it all pre-season. It's only one game but for me, it doesn't work."
Carragher is also unconvinced by Wirtz more generally. In a tough first year at Anfield, he scored seven goals and provided 10 assists.
"I’ve been seen as being critical of Wirtz maybe last season," Carragher continued. "This thing that it takes players a year to settle in the Premier League, I think is a bit of a myth. I don't think there's too many examples.
"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.
Liverpool number seven Florian Wirtz.
Liverpool number seven Florian Wirtz.(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
"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.
"I thought eventually I'd be having this conversation in four or six weeks, but I'm looking at it right now thinking 'What is Iraola going to do with this?'. You can’t keep going with it.
"It's not working and it didn't work last season. Liverpool last season conceded 53 goals in the Premier League, the most they've ever conceded, and all summer, it's about buying wingers.
"There is no thought about the full-back positions. The position next to Gravenberch, there is no real thought about that either. It's getting to the stage now where I wonder where you fit Wirtz in.
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"I always thought you could put him in a pocket from the left where he plays for Germany, but Iraola loves wingers and he wants players playing with energy down the flanks.
"The thing I struggle with Wirtz with is that I don't think we are seeing a massive underperformance.
"I think what we have seen for a year is probably what he is. He is a neat and tidy footballer, but not someone who should be worth £110M.
"He should be £50M-£60M, something like that. Neat, tidy, lovely touch. I'm not sure what people are expecting."