Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz struggled through his first year at Anfield, but despite a brighter start to his second campaign, TalkSPORT pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor has called out the playmaker
Liverpool attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.
Florian Wirtz has been criticised by Gabriel Agbonlahor and Jamie Carragher this season(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz has been accused of lacking a "hunger for goals" by former Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor.
Last season saw Wirtz endure a challenging debut campaign on Merseyside following his big-money summer move from Bayer Leverkusen, with the German's performances mirrored by Liverpool's on the pitch after having won the Premier League title a season prior.
While the slate has been wiped clean for Wirtz, who scored seven goals and registered eight assists last term, thanks to the arrival of Andoni Iraola as Arne Slot's replacement, the 23-year-old has been criticised this season already by former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.
READ MORE: Jose Mourinho considers changing Trent Alexander-Arnold position amid Real Madrid crisis
READ MORE: Liverpool injury latest and possible return dates including Federico Chiesa and Giovanni Leoni
"I just don't believe that midfield can function with the personnel in there," Carragher said on Sky Sports Monday Night Football a day after Liverpool's Premier League opening 2-2 draw with Newcastle United.
"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."
"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.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
"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."
Carragher's criticism has been followed up by Agbonlahor, who was not impressed by Wirtz performance last Friday in Liverpool's 2-0 win over Ipswich Town, a game which saw Reds forward Alexander Isak net a brace.
While Wirtz was by no means bad against Ipswich, Agbonlahor explained on talkSPORT that he believes the German international needs to show a "hunger for goals" and that he lacks the requisite physicality to play in the Premier League.
"He looks like the player who would be best in training. In small-sided games, I bet you can’t get the ball off him," Agbonlahor said. "But in games, he lacks the physicality. Even when he tries to drive with the ball, he gets knocked off it.
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: Abdul Fatawu of Ipswich Town is challenged by Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Ipswich Town and Liverpool FC at Portman Road on September 04, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Wirtz in action against Ipswich Town(Image: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"He was better against Ipswich, linking well with Isak, but he has got to get that hunger for goals.
"He doesn’t look too fussed when he doesn’t score. In that position, he needs goals. In a team like Liverpool, he should be getting double figures.
Agbonlahor added of Isak, "Isak looked sharp and got his goals. The defending from Ipswich was shambolic, but he took the goals very well. That second one is what we are used to seeing from him. When you give him the service, he will get goals."