Florian Wirtz backed by Iraola after Carragher criticism

Jamie Carragher said Florian Wirtz should have come off at half-time during Liverpool's 1-0 win at Bournemouth in the Bournemouth vs Liverpool match. Andoni Iraola saw it differently after the game, saying Wirtz improved after the first phase and was much better after the break.

Iraola's defence of Wirtz

"It was a slow start but after the first phase Florian helped us to improve and I am much happier with his performance in the second half," Iraola said. He also added: "Second half he was playing much better, he was finding better spots to receive and turn. Probably we haven't found the last part or moment to score but I think I'm much more happy with his second half than his first one."

That view sits against Carragher's public criticism. Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Liverpool defender said: "I'm surprised Wirtz hasn't come off," before later adding: "Wirtz has been really poor again. It's just nothing. Nothing is happening there at all."

The numbers back up why the debate is already noisy. Wirtz has made 5 Premier League appearances, has 1 assist and a 6.53 rating. Alexander Isak, by comparison, has a 7.57 rating in the early weeks of the season.

Liverpool's second-half improvement

Iraola's comments were not just about Wirtz. He said Liverpool were not winning second balls in the first part of the game, then controlled the second half much better and had the chances to finish it. Liverpool are unbeaten in their opening five league games, with 3 draws and only 3 goals conceded.

That is a decent base for a team still bedding in new pieces, but Wirtz's start has not been especially quiet in the background. The criticism from Carragher landed in real time, and Iraola's defence makes clear he does not see the performance as a straight case of a player fading out of the game.

Liverpool's win at Bournemouth still came with the sort of uneven spell that gives pundits a target, and the 1-0 scoreline left enough room for a story to grow around Wirtz even without a goal or assist from him.