Liverpool’s 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City has reignited the debate over Florian Wirtz’s place in Andoni Iraola’s squad, with a former Liverpool star now demanding decisive action. The attacking midfielder’s output has repeatedly fallen short of expectations, particularly in a game where Liverpool’s attacking options were further diminished by injuries to Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai. The second yellow card for Ryan Gravenberch only compounded the defensive vulnerabilities, but it was Wirtz’s inability to influence the game—both defensively and creatively—that has drawn the sharpest criticism.
Jamie Carragher, a figure whose insights carry weight in Liverpool’s footballing discourse, has doubled down on his earlier concerns, arguing that Wirtz no longer meets the standard required for a club aiming to compete at the highest level. His assessment is rooted in a historical comparison: players like Nicky Barmby, Yossi Benayoun, and even Steven Gerrard were initially deemed insufficient for Liverpool’s ambitions but ultimately delivered more than Wirtz has so far. Carragher’s frustration is palpable. ‘He’s not giving you anything defensively and he’s not giving you anything going the other way,’ he stated, echoing the frustration of fans and pundits alike. The criticism isn’t just about form—it’s about the fundamental question of whether Wirtz can justify his £60 million price tag in a squad that has struggled to replicate its title-winning form under Arne Slot.
The issue extends beyond Wirtz. Liverpool’s recent struggles have exposed broader tactical and personnel challenges under Iraola, who inherited a squad already showing signs of inconsistency after a fifth-place finish last season. The defeat to City, where youngster Lewis Koumas was forced to lead the attack, underscored the depth issues that have plagued the club. Former striker John Aldridge has since called for reinforcements in January, suggesting that injuries alone cannot explain the squad’s shortcomings. His argument carries weight: even with a fully fit squad, Liverpool’s attacking options remain limited, and Wirtz’s lack of impact has only exacerbated the problem.
Iraola now faces a critical juncture. The manager’s selection policy has been under scrutiny since his arrival, but the pressure on Wirtz is personal. His struggles contrast sharply with the resurgence of Germany’s national team during the international break, where he appeared more influential. Yet at Anfield, his contributions have been inconsistent at best. The question isn’t whether he will improve—it’s whether Liverpool can afford to wait for that improvement when the margin between contention and irrelevance in the Premier League is razor-thin.
For now, the focus remains on Wirtz’s future. Carragher’s call for his removal isn’t an isolated voice; it reflects a growing consensus that the club’s leadership must act. The challenge for Iraola is to address this without destabilizing the squad further. The window for change is narrow, and the stakes could not be higher.
