Jamie Carragher warns Andoni Iraola over Liverpool failing: ‘This has to stop’

Jamie Carragher has had enough of seeing Florian Wirtz in the Liverpool starting XI, saying the hugely expensive signing needs to be dropped.

The Germany international arrived at Anfield in June 2025 from Bayer Leverkusen, with the Reds paying an initial £100 million, with a further £16m in add-ons.

It was an eye-catching sum of money, but the playmaker came with a glowing reputation at just 22-year-old for both scoring and providing goals.

Unfortunately for Liverpool he has not shown off those qualities regularly at all since making his move to England.

Wirtz scored five goals and provided three assists in 33 games over his first season at the club, and is yet to score with one assist to his name in the current campaign.

It was another ineffectual performance from the German, now 24, on Sunday in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City and Carragher has more than seen enough of him in the no.10 slot.

Ryan Gravenberch was in midfield behind Wirtz on Sunday, but has not always been a starter this season and was secured a place because Dominik Szoboszlai was injured.

Carragher says Gravenberch and Szoboszlai, along with Alexis Mac Allister, has to be the best trio in midfield for the Reds and Wirtz can no longer be carried, despite his price tag.

‘I thought Gravenberch was outstanding in the game and this stuff has got to stop now,’ Carrager told Sky Sports. ‘I said this last time Liverpool played. Ryan Gravenberch has to play in the Liverpool team. He’s 6’3″, he can open his legs, he can play, he can run, he was one of the outstanding players when Liverpool won the Premier League.

‘I’m sorry to say this but Florian Wirtz is not working and it hasn’t worked so far. Ryan Gravenberch cannot be sitting on the bench and Florian Wirtz playing for Liverpool.

‘I was critical of Florian Wirtz in the last game out for Liverpool at Bournemouth, but it wasn’t just that game, it was on his body of work for Liverpool.

‘It’s not harsh to be having a go at Florian Wirtz right now. He’s got to do so much more. I struggle to think of one game where he’s won Liverpool the game and been the man.

‘He was brought in to be a star of the Premier League and I think you could make the case for 10-12 players in Liverpool’s Premier League era who have done more than Florian Wirtz. Not history, Premier League era.

‘He’s been here now for 55-60 games, it’s a lot and I don’t see it changing. Gravenberch has to play in that midfield and the Florian Wirtz, where he’s nailed on that he plays every week in that no.10 position, it has to stop. Liverpool have given him enough chances and he has to come out of the team.

‘We’re not being too critical, we’ve given him a lot of leeway and been very patient. He’s not given you anything defensively and he’s not giving you anything the other day. We’re justified in saying that we need more and we can’t wait.’

Carragher quite enjoyably reminisced on former Liverpool players who have played in a similar position and did more than Wirtz, but were moved on as they were not cutting the mustard.

‘I look back and there were players for Liverpool who were deemed not good enough for Liverpool in terms of winning the league title or a European Cup, who had a real impact in those positions,’ he said.

‘I think of someone like a Nick Barmby, a Vladimir Smicer, Yossi Benayoun, Maxi Rodriguez, Jari Litmanen.

‘We’ve had so many players in that position. [Philippe] Coutinho, Steven Gerrard, Steve McManaman, who have brought more to the table than this lad. We’re at the stage where we can’t wait any longer.’

Reds boss Andoni Iraola was asked about the performance of his players and specifically asked how he felt Wirtz did on Sunday, but just said he was proud of them all.

‘I’m very proud of my footballers,’ he said. ‘They put in a tremendous effort and showed high intensity, competing well in duels.

‘We lost and got nothing to show for our performance, but I really liked what I saw.’

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