Jamie Carragher: Right now, Wirtz simply shouldn't be in the Liverpool team

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has launched a scathing critique of Florian Wirtz following another underwhelming performance, this time in the defeat to Manchester City. The German playmaker, who arrived at Anfield in a blockbuster £116 million move, continues to struggle with the demands of English football.

Wirtz was one of the Premier League's headline acquisitions last term but endured a below-par debut campaign, with many putting his struggles down to a period of adaptation. However, his woes have spilled into the new season under fresh management — the German is yet to find the net and has registered just one assist in six league outings.

His lack of impact has raised serious questions over his place in the starting line-up, and Carragher proved to be one of his harshest critics following Sunday's showdown with Manchester City.

"I'm going to come back to Florian Wirtz, because I was critical of him after the Bournemouth game. Some Liverpool fans thought I was being too harsh, but I said the last hope was Jurgen Klopp helping him during the Germany camp," Carragher said on Sky Sports. "He played really well for Germany under Klopp. But today, with Isak and Gakpo out — our two best attacking outlets this season — we needed Barcola and Wirtz to step up and support Munoz and Koumas. Yet, it was Koumas and Munoz who outshone the two £100m players.

If it were Barcola after four or five games, it would be unfair to be that critical, but not for someone with 60 matches under his belt."

Wirtz has now made 56 appearances for Liverpool, contributing seven goals and 11 assists. He joined Anfield last summer right after the club clinched the title with Dominik Szoboszlai flourishing as a traditional playmaker. However, Wirtz's arrival pushed the Hungarian into a deeper midfield role — a tactical shift Carragher insists should be abandoned.

"Right now, he simply shouldn't be in this Liverpool side. I don't like digging out players, but we're not talking about a 5-10 game settling-in period; this is over 50 to 60 games. Wirtz doesn't look like scoring at all. You don't even come away feeling he missed chances or tested the keeper. Today, there wasn't a single moment where he slipped someone in or posed a goal threat. He offers zero threat right now," Carragher concluded.