Liverpool went into the international break with a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, but there has still been some critique for key players despite the triumph
Jamie Carragher of Sky Sports before during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City at Anfield
Jamie Carragher has been discussing Liverpool's win over Crystal Palace(Image: (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images))
Jamie Carragher has defended his reason for critiquing both Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola after Liverpool's win over Crystal Palace at the weekend.
The Reds made tough work of the side in the relegation zone during the first half, as chances came and went at either end. Alexis Mac Allister handed Andoni Iraola's side some control when he scored a header just before the break, which changed the course of the game.
From there, Liverpool pushed on, with Wirtz doubling that lead before Alexander Isak sealed all three points with his late strike. The Eagles pulled one back in stoppage time from the penalty spot, but it wasn't enough to earn any points.
It ended the latest run of fixtures on a positive note for the Merseyside outfit, during an otherwise bruising week with defeats to Arsenal and Fenerbahce.
The match not only left Liverpool in the top four for the international break, but it also saw the big names up front firing once again. Wirtz grabbed a goal and an assist for his troubles, Isak found the back of the net again, and Barcola picked up another assist to his name.
Despite those performances, Carragher was somewhat critical of Wirtz and Barcola in their displays, with their output perhaps not reflecting what was happening on the pitch. The Sky Sports pundit suggested that Barcola hadn't meant to pick out the German international with his cross, instead putting it into an area, while he claimed that Wirtz was fortunate with the way he finished the opportunity.
That led to some criticism from fans on social media, who believed that the former defender was downplaying the achievements of the key players who helped to land another important three points.
Carragher defended that verdict on social media, when he responded: "Not at all, Wirtz had a bit of luck with his goal & was unlucky a few weeks back. Barcola was poor until he got the assist." He then added: "His [Wirtz's] goal was to lucky as he hit it on to his left with his right."
It brings up some interesting questions surrounding the big-money forwards, and the types of expectations that still surround them during their time at Liverpool.
The Reds have been calling for more output from those that cost plenty of money, with the win over Crystal Palace certainly doing that, but the way that was executed can leave something left to be desired.
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Florian Wirtz of Liverpool celebrates with his team mates after scoring their second goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park on November 08, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens - AMA/Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz is congratulated by his Liverpool team-mates after his well-taken goal at Crystal Palace (Image: Steve Bardens - AMA/Getty Images)
After a few months of the Iraola reign, there still hasn't been that one statement victory with a convincing performance that sets the standard for how the side should be performing.
However, at the same time, the importance of landing results can often outweigh the need to put on a performance, as Crystal Palace showed on Sunday, with that defeat now likely to cost Pierre Sage his job despite the promising signs his side showed.
As it stands, Liverpool's players are unlikely to care how the goals and assists come about, but the long-term question is whether they can find that extra gear that truly turns them from winning games into a convincing force in the league.