Jamie Carragher launched a scathing criticism of Florian Wirtz after his display vs. Bournemouth, with the Liverpool legend worried “normal players” offer more.
Wirtz was particularly abject in the first half of Sunday’s 1-0 win over Bournemouth and was brought off with 71 minutes on the clock.
The German still came away from the game with the joint-most chances created (three), as well as Liverpool’s third-most defensive contributions (eight) and the second-best rate of duels won (75%).
But Carragher was one of many left disappointed with Wirtz again, describing his performance as “one of the poorest I’ve ever seen him in a Liverpool shirt.”
He said on Sky Sports: “I don’t see how he’s going to hurt you. It’s just neat and tidy. And in some way, the price tag for that type of player should be half of what Liverpool have paid.
“The worry for Wirtz now is that his performances so far, or what he’s given Liverpool, is so low.
“Where we were expecting him was to take Liverpool to another league title, to take Liverpool to a Champions League.
“The gap he’s got to get to almost justify what people were expecting, I almost think is too big. You can’t get there.
“Even if he improves a bit and gets there, it’s still not what Liverpool thought they were getting.”
Jamie Carragher: 3 “normal players” having more of an impact than Wirtz
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 12, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz walks out before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. The game ended in a goal-less draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 12, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz walks out before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. The game ended in a goal-less draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Wirtz was signed for £116 million from Bayer Leverkusen and is a profile of player Liverpool have arguably not had in their squad since Philippe Coutinho.
But the issue with that is that, in the eight years since Coutinho left for Barcelona, the system has evolved so much that there was no place for an orthodox No. 10 – and that has meant rebuilding around Wirtz.
However, as Carragher continued his assessment, he gave examples of three “normal Premier League players” who are making more of an impact in his role.
“No one out there would say [Everton’s Kiernan] Dewsbury-Hall is a better player than Wirtz, or would go for more money than Wirtz, or would cost £120 million,” Carragher said.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Everton's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Crystal Palace FC at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Everton's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Crystal Palace FC at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“But every three or four weeks he scores a goal.
“I watched Morgan Gibbs-White for Nottingham Forest last week at Aston Villa, and in the second half he put in a performance in 45 minutes that Florian Wirtz has never done before for Liverpool.
“I’ve seen a goal Emiliano Buendia scored for Aston Villa at Tottenham.
“Again, these players aren’t going to get over £100 million, or £120 million, but they’re still giving their clubs bits every few weeks.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Wirtz wouldn’t be in my Liverpool team. Manchester City at home, for me, he can’t be in the team.”
Carragher believes Andoni Iraola is now “going to have to make a decision” with Wirtz akin to dropping Ryan Gravenberch and Jeremie Frimpong in the early weeks of the season.
Whether that results in the Germany playmaker being sidelined is questionable, but while Carragher’s criticism may be over-the-top, there is clearly an issue to address.
Football – FA Premier League – AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool FC
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Sunday, September 20, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker during the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – FA Premier League – AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool FC
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Sunday, September 20, 2026: Liverpool's Jérémy Jacquet with a header during the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)