Carragher doubts £115m Wirtz gamble as Liverpool start new season

Jamie Carragher pits the £115 million hype surrounding Florian Wirtz’s move to Liverpool against the German’s modest impact last season, arguing the former Bayer Leverkusen star has acted more like a useful squad addition than the Premier League game‑changer the Reds hoped for.

Transfer saga and media backdrop

Wirtz arrived at Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen last summer in a £115 million deal, marking the centerpiece of Liverpool’s ambitious transfer window. The fee made him the most expensive German ever signed by a Premier League club.

That window also brought Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong to the squad, yet only Ekitike managed to make a noticeable impression. Liverpool ultimately finished the campaign 25 points behind champions Arsenal.

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Carragher’s doubts and tactical challenges

Carragher wrote that when Wirtz joined Liverpool the hope was for a dominance akin to Kevin De Bruyne, but the German “does not have the athleticism or running and shooting power of De Bruyne.” He added that even at his best the player looks ‘neat and tidy’ rather than a penalty‑box killer.

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He further argued that Wirtz resembles a useful squad addition worth about £40 million, not the £115 million game‑changer the club paid for. The former defender questioned whether the German possesses the tools to overcome the physical challenge of the Premier League.

Carragher warned that if Wirtz fails to make an early impact, defensive frailties could see him pushed out of position or even out of the side. He recalled that last season Slot was forced to play the German on the left wing rather than his natural attacking‑midfield role.

He noted that manager Andoni Iraola’s system of out‑and‑out wingers could raise serious doubts about Wirtz’s future if the team continues to rely on such tactics. Such a tactical setup may limit the German’s ability to influence games from central areas.

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Wider implications and upcoming test

Beyond the individual case, Carragher suggested that Wirtz’s fortunes may reflect a wider Premier League problem, where high‑priced imports struggle to adapt to the league’s physical demands. He implied that the German’s success or failure could be tied to this broader issue.

Liverpool’s first fixture of the 2026/27 season will be against Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday 23 August, 4.30 pm. The encounter offers a make‑or‑break test for Wirtz as the Reds aim to reverse a season that saw them finish fifth.