Florian Wirtz faces mounting scrutiny at Liverpool following a 3–0 Premier League defeat against Manchester City, with former club defender Jamie Carragher asserting that the midfielder no longer belongs in the starting lineup. The heavy loss at Anfield left Liverpool’s record signing under intense pressure after another quiet display.
Jamie Carragher Calls for Florian Wirtz to Be Dropped from Liverpool Lineup
The discussion surrounding Wirtz intensified after the match when Carragher analyzed the player’s output on Sky Sports. Carragher pointed out that the Germany international offered little to no attacking threat during the fixture against Manchester City.
“Wirtz lijkt nooit een doelpunt te maken,” Carragher said in his assessment, noting that the midfielder rarely tests the opposing goalkeeper or creates clear openings for teammates. The analyst added that he previously raised concerns following Liverpool’s match against Bournemouth, where supporters defended the summer acquisition.
Transfer Fee and Statistics Under Scrutiny
Liverpool secured Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025 for a reported fee of approximately 125 million euros. Since his arrival on Merseyside, the midfielder has appeared in 56 matches across all competitions, contributing seven goals and eleven assists under manager Arne Slot. His current contract runs until mid-2030.
Additional coverage from Voetbalzone noted that the hefty price tag continues to follow the player into his second season at the club. During the Manchester City fixture, Wirtz was substituted in the 65th minute following a red card shown to teammate Ryan Gravenberch, making way for defensive midfielder Trey Nyoni.
Tactical Struggles and Missing Personnel
Carragher highlighted that Wirtz failed to step up in the absence of injured forwards Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak.
While Wirtz has shown more prominent form when representing the German national team under the banner of Die Mannschaft, his club performances have drawn repeated questions from analysts regarding his adaptation to the Premier League pace.
Unresolved Questions Surround the Midfielder’s Future
As Liverpool prepares for its upcoming fixtures, the debate over Arne Slot’s tactical reliance on Wirtz remains open. It remains unconfirmed whether the manager will alter his starting formation for the next match or continue to back the midfielder through his current run of form.
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