Top‑game flop: Liverpool legend demands Wirtz dropped from starting XI
After the disappointing top‑match collapse against Manchester City, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher calls for German international Florian Wirtz to be taken out of the starting XI. The former Reds defender criticised, after the 0‑3 loss in the Premier League, the inadequate performance of the 23‑year‑old attacking player, who has so far shown no difference in the game.
“I'm sorry to have to say this: it doesn't work with Florian Wirtz and it hasn't worked so far,” Carragher told Sky after the defeat. He emphasized that the team could not benefit from Wirtz despite numerous chances.
Wirtz, who had an unremarkable performance in the home game against Man City, was substituted in the 66th minute. “He still has to deliver so much more, and I can hardly think of a game in which he – well – gave Liverpool the win, in which he was essentially the man of the match,” Carragher added.
Carragher's Call for Substitution
The 48‑year‑old former defender demanded that Wirtz be taken out of the squad. “I think Liverpool has given him enough chances, and I believe he must be removed from the squad,” he said again.
Man City uncertainty clouds Premier League' outlook, Morgan calls farce
Carragher is convinced that Wirtz will not make the difference in the future either. “He has now played 55, 60 games. That is a lot. I don’t think anything will change,” he said.
Wirtz's Record at Liverpool
Wirtz moved in the summer of 2025 from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool and was then touted as a Premier League star. In so far 56 league appearances for the Reds, the 23‑year‑old attacking player scored seven goals and provided eleven assists.
Carragher hopes that Wirtz can regain his old form under Jürgen Klopp, whom he mistakenly referred to as the national team coach. “I actually said that the only hope now is almost that Jürgen Klopp takes him under his wing and he performs really well in Germany,” he emphasized.
Carragher points to Wirtz's disappointing impact at Liverpool
After this critical analysis, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp will give Wirtz more responsibility in the future or if the young star will continue to leave the team out.