Wirtz Under Pressure at Liverpool as Carragher Calls for Drop
Florian Wirtz's slow start at Liverpool has led to calls for him to be dropped, but others urge patience for the £116m signing.
Florian Wirtz's Liverpool career has yet to take off, prompting debate over whether the £116m midfielder should be dropped. The 23-year-old has started every Premier League and Champions League game this season but has managed just one assist in seven matches. In Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, he was replaced by Trey Nyoni in the 66th minute shortly after Ryan Gravenberch's red card and Erling Haaland's opening goal.
Since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz has scored seven goals and provided 11 assists in 56 appearances for Liverpool. Last season, he had no goal involvements against any top-10 Premier League team. His struggles contrast with Rayan Cherki, who Liverpool also considered. Cherki joined Manchester City for £30m in June 2025 and has 16 goals and 18 assists in 65 outings, including a goal at Anfield on Sunday.
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live that Wirtz "doesn't hurt teams" and "drifts in and out of games." Jamie Carragher, speaking to Sky Sports, said it was time for manager Andoni Iraola to drop Wirtz, arguing he offers little defensively and isn't creating chances. Both pundits stressed the need for more output, with Carragher saying Liverpool "can't wait."
Iraola defended Wirtz, saying he has had good games and urging a collective view. He noted Wirtz's performances for Germany and that everyone is looking for answers. Injuries to Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai limit options, but with two games weekly until the November international break, rotation is likely. Gravenberch is suspended for Saturday's trip to Brentford, so Nyoni may start Wednesday's Champions League game at LASK.
Supporters and pundits remain divided. Some fans have expressed frustration on social media, echoing Carragher's call, while others urge patience, pointing to Wirtz's 95 open-play chances created last season—at least 27 more than any other Liverpool player. Former captain Steven Gerrard told The Overlap that Wirtz is a "major talent" who needs support, and Jurgen Klopp said the player is "outstanding" when the team functions around him.
Wirtz himself said in August that he felt "more ready" for his second season after adapting to the Premier League's physicality. However, with Liverpool struggling for goals and creativity, the pressure is mounting. Iraola may soon face a tough decision on whether to persist with his marquee signing or give others a chance.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
