Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz
It's fair to say that Florian Wirtz hasn't lived up to expectations at Liverpool. The German was expected to rip up the Premier League following his £116.5m move to Merseyside in the summer of 2025.
However, he has struggled to adapt to English football. Wirtz scored seven goals and recorded 10 assists in what was an underwhelming debut campaign at the club.
It was hoped that Wirtz would be able to finally show why Liverpool paid so much money for him in his second season. He has had a very difficult start to the 2026/27 campaign, though. He has failed to hit the back of the net and recorded just one assist in seven appearances so far.
Jamie Carragher Slams Florian Wirtz
Liverpool star Florian Wirtz waves to the crowd
Liverpool star Florian Wirtz waves to the crowd
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has been very critical of Wirtz. He again slammed the 23-year-old for his performance in Liverpool's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield this weekend.
He said after the match, per LiveScore: "What Florian Wirtz is doing for Liverpool is not enough right now. He’s played 55, 60 games for Liverpool. If we were looking at [Bradley] Barcola, he has played four or five. You would want more but hold your horses. If you were critical of him, it would be over the top, but not the guy that has played 60 games."
“He shouldn’t be in the Liverpool team right now. I don’t want to hammer Liverpool players. But we’re not saying this after five-ten games, we’re saying this after 50-60 games.
“Wirtz never looks like scoring a goal. You don’t come away thinking he missed chances or he worked the goalkeeper. There was absolutely nothing today where you thought he put someone through, or nearly scored. There’s absolutely no goal threat whatsoever.”
Steven Gerrard Gives Take on Florian Wirtz Amid Carragher's Criticism
Steven Gerrard
Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
Gerrard, one of Liverpool's greatest ever players, has now reacted to Carragher's criticism of Wirtz and given his take on the German. Gerrard started by saying that he doesn't have the surrounding players to thrive and believes he will perform better when Liverpool's attackers are all back to full fitness.
He did concede that Liverpool need to see more from Wirtz, though, and said he needs support to get through this tough period.
"Wirtz's confidence is shot. He's not playing well enough. We need to see more from him," Gerrard said.
"So, I agree with Jamie Carragher to that extent. But I think Jamie's more like, he needs to be moved to the side. I think the kid needs help. I think he needs help from his manager, from his coaches.
"I think he needs help from his senior players. I can just picture him beating himself up on how his Liverpool thing started. This kid is a major talent in my opinion. I've seen enough to believe and give him a chance. I think he needs help and support now."
Gerrard said that Wirtz may have to come out of the team. He added: "And I think sometimes in this situation, if everyone was fit and available, maybe the best thing is for him to come out and have a couple of games on the bench.
"When I suffered form-wise and I needed the help from managers and coaches, I didn't believe it at the time, but when managers took me out and put me on the bench or left me out or gave me a rest, sometimes just watching the team and being gutted you've been taken out.
"Seeing someone else do well in your position or thrive, and that little bit of fear of, maybe am I not the main player anymore, or am I not Liverpool's number 10 anymore, it could help Florian Wirtz. I have seen enough to know there's a player there, there's huge potential there. Does he need help and support right now? Yes, because his confidence is affected, and I can see it in him."
Gerrard also said that there's 'definitely a player there' and believes it's too early to be giving up on him.
Gerrard's comments have gone down well among Liverpool fans. One fan wrote: 'This is what I want to hear from a ex Liverpool player. Jamie is only hurting Liverpool by coming out to say these things.'
A second said: 'God, I miss Gerrard. Interviews like this reveal why he was captain', while a third wrote: 'Get him on the coaching staff fuck sake, he’s wasted sitting in a studio.'
A fourth commented: 'Gerrard’s punditry is seriously underrated. Don’t think I’ve ever disagreed with him.'