Jamie Carragher has pushed the Florian Wirtz debate into selection territory, saying on BBC Sport that the midfielder should come out of Liverpool's team. Wirtz has one Premier League assist in seven matches this season, and the lack of end product is now being judged against the £116m fee and the club's wider attacking problems.

Carragher's case for a change

Carragher's line was direct. "I think he needs to come out of the team, I said that last time out and I'm going to say it again," he said, adding that Liverpool "have a real problem with scoring goals and creating chances and that's what you got Wirtz for." He also said Wirtz is "not giving you anything defensively" or "going the other way" and argued that Liverpool "need more and we can't wait."

That criticism lands because Wirtz has started every league and Champions League game so far, yet has only one assist across seven matches. He has already played 469 league minutes and has no Premier League goals, so the issue is not that he has been left on the sideline. It is that the output has been modest for a player brought in to create and decide games.

Steven Warnock sounded a similar note on BBC, saying, "Wirtz has so much ability. I wish I had that ability because he just glides. He makes it look effortless - but he doesn't hurt teams." Warnock also said Wirtz "doesn't impact the game enough" and can disappear for long spells.

Slot's defence and the wider Liverpool problem

Arne Slot has not gone down the same road. "The other day, he probably he didn't have his best game but he has had good games with us this season," he said, before stressing that he wanted to look at the issue "more collectively" and cared about how the team get results rather than who scores.

That view lines up with Jurgen Klopp's intervention, which was also about structure rather than blame. "Attacking players always need a functioning team that works well around them. Anyone who loves football can still see how outstanding Florian is as a player," he said. Steven Gerrard was in the same camp, saying he had seen enough to believe Wirtz deserves a chance and needs help and support now.

The numbers are mixed, which is part of why the argument keeps running. Wirtz's 6.48 league rating is respectable, not dominant, and his best recent display was the 8.2-rated outing for Germany. He has 56 Reds appearances, with seven goals and 11 assists, and last season he created 95 chances from open play in all competitions, at least 27 more than any other Liverpool player. That is the version of Wirtz Liverpool bought, and it has not shown up often enough yet in the Premier League.

The sharper question now is whether dropping him helps or whether it just hands Liverpool another problem in a side still looking for a reliable attacking rhythm. Carragher has chosen the first answer. Slot, Klopp and Gerrard are still on the second.

Wirtz will have the chance to respond in Liverpool's next league match, with the criticism now part of the story rather than a side note.

FAQ

Is Florian Wirtz already under pressure at Liverpool?

Yes. Jamie Carragher wants him dropped, Steven Warnock says he does not hurt teams enough, and Wirtz has only one Premier League assist in seven matches this season. Arne Slot, though, keeps pointing to the team as a whole and says Wirtz has already had good games for Liverpool.

Why are some pundits defending Florian Wirtz at Liverpool?

Arne Slot says the discussion should be collective and not just about one scorer, while Jurgen Klopp says attacking players need a functioning team around them. Steven Gerrard has also backed Wirtz, calling him a major talent and saying he needs help and support now.

How much has Florian Wirtz done for Liverpool so far this season?

Wirtz has started every league and Champions League game so far, and he has one assist across seven matches. He has also played 469 league minutes and Liverpool paid £116m for him after he chose Anfield over Bayern Munich and Manchester City.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →