Liverpool faced with major Florian Wirtz transfer decision

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Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Jamie Carragher has once again taken aim at Florian Wirtz following his underwhelming performance during Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.

The Germany international has been hugely disappointing since arriving at Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial fee of €125 million last year, and he is still yet to score his first goal of the new season.

Wirtz only has one assist in seven matches across all competitions too, and Carragher has been one of his biggest critics in recent weeks, with the Liverpool legend extremely frustrated by the 23-year-old’s lack of output since his move from the Bundesliga.

During a post-match discussion on Sky Sports, Daniel Sturridge argued that Wirtz’s position in the Liverpool team is a contributing factor to his poor form, but Carragher refused to resort to excuses.

“We have seen the goals and assists for Bayer Leverkusen. He looks really small and he is small on the football pitch,” the ex-Liverpool defender said.

“Does it ever feel like he is going to hit one from outside the box and when he was taking set-pieces today it almost looks like he hasn't got the strength to put it into the middle or the back post. Do you understand what I mean?

“The role he played at Bayer Leverkusen it was three at the back, wingback on the outside and he played inside left, I totally get that, but he can still find that position in the No.10.

“And when you think where he picks the ball up, he never picks it up in the middle of the pitch. It is always an angle and if you are a midfield player you are always looking for angles.”

He added: “We are definitely not judging him harshly, I think we need to make that point, but what I am going to say is, I felt going forward because you can't just throw away a £100m player. I thought going forward the next step would be to put him on the left. He plays there for Germany.

“I think if you go to the summer he plays left in a 4-4-2 for Germany. I thought that was the last chance saloon. Can you get him in a pocket? Can you get a full-back going on the outside of him. I totally get that but the manager Liverpool employed is a wingers man.

“He just wants wingers so he will never have that guy in that position. And it was all about Florian Wirtz is there and you are thinking can he get on the ball and can he be feeding wide players and a No.9.

“Now the position you are talking about is you see where Morgan Rogers is playing now. That is what you are talking about isn't it? In my head in the summer I was thinking would Xabi Alonso become the manager? The reason being is that nobody knows Florian Wirtz better than Xabi Alonso.

“Okay the club decides to go a different way, but that was one of my thoughts. Alonso could come in and unlock Wirtz, your big money signing.

“I understand what you are saying there that left pocket, but to let someone completely off the hook who doesn't score a goal or create chances, doesn't do anything because we are asking him to play 10-yards further inside, at times he will find himself in that left pocket and he has got to do an awful lot more.”

Will Liverpool sell Florian Wirtz?

Wirtz will still have three years remaining on his Liverpool contract next summer, but it’s understood that multiple clubs across Europe are keeping close tabs on his situation at Anfield, including Bayern Munich.

Vincent Kompany’s side missed out on his signature to Liverpool in 2025, however they are open to finalising a deal next year if Wirtz is deemed surplus to requirements by the Reds hierarchy.

A sale likely won’t be considered unless Liverpool have lined up a replacement, but the Anfield board have a huge decision to make and finalising a transfer could be the best step for all parties if his form continues to be a major concern.

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