Jamie Carragher has voiced concerns that Florian Wirtz does not fit into the current tactical structure under Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola. The 23-year-old German midfielder joined the club from Bayer Leverkusen last season for a massive fee of £116m but has struggled to find a consistent role in the Premier League.
Liverpool F.C. Currently sits 10th in the Premier League table with 1 pts, 0W-1D-0L from 1 games, recent form D. The club follows a 2-2 draw against Newcastle where Wirtz played for over 60 minutes before being substituted. This performance has sparked debate over whether the record investment is yielding the expected results at Anfield.
The former Liverpool player and commentator Jamie Carragher was blunt in his assessment of the situation. Carragher believes the current arrangement between the player and the team is failing. Carragher said: "You can’t keep going with it. It is not working." He further suggested that Wirtz's current market value is more likely between £50m and £60m rather than the £110m-£116m paid. During his debut season, Wirtz recorded seven goals and 10 assists, but those numbers have not yet translated into tactical dominance within Iraola's specific attacking setup.
Gary Neville demands more tenacity
Gary Neville has also joined the critique of the German international's impact. The broadcaster argued that Wirtz lacks the tenacity required to dominate the midfield in the English game. Neville suggested that the midfielder needs to adapt his role to a second striker to be effective. However, the frustration regarding the player's output is growing. Gary Neville said: "He needs to sort himself out. Enough's enough now, we've talked about him enough."
Squad dynamics and future outlook
The situation is further complicated by the presence of other creative talents. Dominik Szoboszlai is a Liverpool player who is not currently operating as a central midfielder, creating a crowded or confusing environment for Wirtz. As the 2026/27 season includes 215 live Premier League matches, the margin for error for Iraola is slim.
With the goals this season currently sitting at 2 scored, 2 conceded (0 goal difference), the Reds are 2 points behind leaders Brighton in the title race. Their next fixture is vs Nottingham Forest at home on 2026-08-29, a vital game for the club looking to stabilize their season campaign. Fans can track the progress of the squad and league position on the standings page.
