Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have called on two Liverpool players to step up, with injuries to key forwards leaving Andoni Iraola short of attacking options
Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville during a Premier League match
Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have shared their views on Liverpool stars Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz(Image: Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have shared their views on Liverpool 's attacking problems and are both in agreement that two players need to step up sooner rather than later.
The Reds take on Manchester City in the Premier League without their two most prolific forwards this season. Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak are both sidelined after picking up injuries during the international break.
Gakpo has scored one goal and registered three assists this term, while Isak has scored four across all competitions. Between them, their contributions account for the majority of the Reds' goals so far this season.
That is why their absence against City is sorely felt. Lewis Koumas started in Isak's place, while Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz and Victor Munoz made up the rest of the attack.
Wirtz and Barcola, in particular, were both signed for significant sums in the last two summers. Speaking on commentary during the clash with City, pundits Neville and Carragher agreed that more should be expected of them and that their price tags justify the demand for them to step up.
"You would expect the big money signings Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola to do more but it is Munoz and Koumas who are setting the tempo for Liverpool," Neville began.
"Wirtz has to do better. We have said it so many times, he should be the glue between Liverpool's midfield and attack."
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool runs with the ball under pressure from Rayan Cherki of Manchester City during the Premier League match
Florian Wirtz has endured a difficult start to life at Liverpool(Image: Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Carragher added in agreement: "You are right there Gary. On the back of Gakpo and Isak being out, you look at other players to stand up as they have been the two best attacking players."
Barcola only signed for Liverpool a few days before deadline day after drawn-out negotiations over his transfer with Paris Saint-Germain. He officially made his debut in the Premier League clash with Ipswich Town in early September, but he is yet to register a goal or an assist.
Wirtz, on the other hand, endured a difficult first season at Liverpool following his move from Bayer Leverkusen last year. This term, he is at the center of scrutiny once again, having registered just one assist so far.
In the first half against City, it has been Koumas and Munoz setting the tempo for Andoni Iraola 's side. While Wirtz and Barcola have shown brief flashes of quality, both are yet to make an impact on the game.