Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has called for Florian Wirtz to be dropped from the starting lineup after the German midfielder struggled to make an impact in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.
Wirtz was expected to provide creativity and attacking inspiration for Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, 11 October 2026. However, he struggled to create dangerous opportunities before being substituted in the 65th minute, prompting renewed questions about his contribution since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen.
Liverpool signed Wirtz in the summer of 2025 for a reported £100 million, raising expectations that he would become a key figure in the team’s attack. Yet, despite starting all six of Liverpool’s matches this season, the midfielder has recorded just one assist.
Carragher believes Liverpool can no longer afford to wait for the 23-year-old to find his best form. Speaking to Sky Sports, the former defender argued that leaving Wirtz out of the starting lineup could be necessary to improve the team’s overall performance.
His comments have intensified the debate over Liverpool’s midfield balance, attacking creativity and the pressure facing one of their most expensive signings.
Jamie Carragher Wants Florian Wirtz Dropped
Carragher made his position clear when discussing Wirtz’s recent performances following Liverpool’s defeat to Manchester City.
“I think he needs to come out of the team. I said that in the previous game and I’ll say it again,” Carragher said.
The former Liverpool defender believes the German midfielder has not delivered the level of influence expected from a player brought in to strengthen the team’s attacking output.
Wirtz was particularly important against Manchester City because Liverpool were without Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexander Isak, all of whom were unavailable because of injuries.
Those absences increased the responsibility on Wirtz to help create opportunities and provide an attacking spark.
However, Liverpool struggled to threaten Manchester City consistently, and Wirtz was unable to make the decisive contribution Carragher wanted to see.
For the former defender, the issue is not simply about one disappointing performance. It is about whether the midfielder is currently offering enough to justify his place in the starting lineup.
Liverpool’s Attacking Problems Go Beyond Wirtz
Although Carragher singled out Wirtz, he also acknowledged that Liverpool performed reasonably well for much of the match before Ryan Gravenberch received his second yellow card in the 62nd minute.
The dismissal changed the contest, leaving Liverpool with 10 players and allowing Manchester City to take greater advantage of the situation.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the 65th minute, Jeremy Doku added another three minutes later, and Rayan Cherki completed the 3-0 victory in the 78th minute.
Nevertheless, Carragher argued that Liverpool had struggled to create clear chances even before Gravenberch was sent off.
“I think Liverpool played quite well for most of the game before Gravenberch’s red card, but they weren’t creating chances,” Carragher said, according to ESPN.
That assessment points to a wider concern for Liverpool. Defensive organisation alone is not enough if the team cannot consistently turn possession into meaningful attacking opportunities.
Carragher believes Wirtz was signed precisely to help address that problem. His technical quality and creativity were expected to improve Liverpool’s ability to break down opponents and generate chances.
So far, however, the former defender believes the midfielder has not fulfilled that responsibility consistently enough.
Why Wirtz Has Yet to Meet Liverpool’s Expectations
Wirtz arrived at Liverpool with considerable expectations following his move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025.
The £100 million reported transfer fee placed additional attention on his performances, particularly because Liverpool needed a player capable of influencing matches in the final third.
His record of one assist in six appearances this season has raised questions about his early impact, although statistics alone do not capture every aspect of a midfielder’s contribution.
Carragher’s criticism focuses on what he sees as a lack of influence in both phases of play.
“He doesn’t contribute defensively or in terms of counter-attacks,” Carragher said.
The comments suggest that Carragher wants more than improved attacking numbers. He also expects Wirtz to help Liverpool recover possession, support defensive transitions and contribute to the team’s overall structure.
For a midfielder operating in a demanding Premier League system, those responsibilities can be just as important as creating chances.
However, Carragher also made it clear that his criticism should not be interpreted as a personal attack on the player.
“I don’t want anyone to start attacking Wirtz personally. But I think it’s fair that we demand more from him because Liverpool can’t keep waiting,” he explained.
The distinction is important: Carragher is questioning Wirtz’s current contribution, not dismissing his potential to succeed at Liverpool.
Carragher Calls for Better Midfield Balance
Carragher’s concerns extend beyond Wirtz to the overall composition of Liverpool’s midfield.
He believes the team needs a better balance of goals, assists, physical strength, stamina and aerial ability.
In his view, Liverpool require midfielders who can contribute creatively while also providing the physical presence needed to compete against strong opposition.
Carragher also highlighted several former Liverpool players, including Nicky Barmby, Vladimir Smicer, Yossi Benayoun, Maxi Rodriguez, Jari Litmanen, Philippe Coutinho, Steven Gerrard and Steve McManaman.
His point was that players in different roles and circumstances had found ways to make meaningful contributions to the team, even when they were not always regular starters.
He also insisted that Gravenberch should remain part of Liverpool’s midfield plans.
The broader message is that Liverpool need a combination of technical quality and physical reliability rather than relying too heavily on individual talent.
A midfield reshuffle could give the team a better balance, but any decision must also account for the players available and the tactical demands of upcoming matches.
Can Florian Wirtz Win Back His Place?
Liverpool’s defeat to Manchester City has placed fresh scrutiny on Wirtz, but the next step belongs to the coaching staff.
Carragher believes dropping the midfielder could send a message that performances must justify selection, regardless of transfer fees or reputation.
Liverpool, meanwhile, must find a way to improve their attacking output while maintaining the greater defensive solidity they have shown in recent matches.
Carragher acknowledged that the team had looked more organised over the previous four or five games but argued that it had not created enough chances or scored enough goals.
That makes the upcoming selection decisions particularly important.
If Wirtz is left out, Liverpool would have an opportunity to test a different midfield combination. If he retains his place, he will need to demonstrate that he can provide the creativity and overall contribution expected of him.
For now, Carragher’s message is clear: Liverpool cannot continue waiting indefinitely for their expensive signing to deliver.
Whether dropping Wirtz proves to be the right decision remains to be seen, but his performances have become a significant talking point as Liverpool look to respond to their disappointing defeat at Anfield.
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