Liverpool’s summer signings haven’t had it easy settling in during such a turbulent time for the club, but Jamie Carragher is running out of patience with Florian Wirtz.
Expectations were huge when Wirtz arrived, both because of his reputation and the size of the fee Liverpool paid to bring him in. There have been moments when his class has been obvious, but they have come in flashes rather than in a sustained run of performances.
Wirtz has not consistently decided games in the final third or given the side the kind of spark many thought he would bring straight away. Carragher feels the reaction around him has been softer than it might have been if another player had delivered the same level of output.
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Jamie Carragher’s underwhelmed assessment of Florian Wirtz at Liverpool
Wirtz’s numbers this season have not really reflected the hype that followed him to Anfield. For an attacking player of his profile, the return has been underwhelming, although it is also fair to say he is far from the only Liverpool player who has fallen short in a difficult campaign.
Speaking on Sky Sports before Liverpool’s clash with Everton, Carragher did not hold back in his assessment of the German.
He says: “Listen, he’s been here a while now. I would say he found it tough early on which is understandable. He then went through a spell where you’re thinking, ‘Okay, I’m looking at something.’ But at best, I’d describe that as neat and tidy. Not really hurting the opposition in terms of assists or scoring goals.
“He had a little bit of an injury when he was starting to do okay. He’s come back and it’s just not happening at all. I think the Liverpool public and maybe even the press and pundits have been quite kind to him considering the reputation he came with, the money he cost as well.”
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It is hard to say Carragher is wrong. Wirtz has not produced enough for Liverpool, and the standards are too high for tidy performances alone.
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Florian Wirtz of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 2-0 during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
At the same time, context matters. Moving from the Bundesliga to the Premier League is a major adjustment. He is still young, and has been trying to settle during a season when very few around him have looked settled themselves.
If anything, the kinder treatment Carragher mentions may actually help Liverpool in the long run. Wirtz still looks like a player with enormous quality, and there is every chance he will benefit from this difficult first season and kick on properly next year.
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