Jamie Carragher has called for Liverpool to remove Florian Wirtz from the starting XI after the midfielder’s subdued performance in a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, arguing that the issue is no longer an early adjustment period.

Carragher’s criticism rests on Wirtz’s lack of decisive attacking contributions over an extended spell. He said the Germany international had played “55, 60 games for Liverpool” and that his output was “not enough right now,” drawing a distinction between Wirtz’s experience and players who might reasonably be given more time to settle.¹

The former Liverpool defender also framed the selection question against Ryan Gravenberch’s recent return to prominence. In his view, Gravenberch had recovered after being taken out of the side and offered a clearer case for inclusion, while Wirtz had not done enough to retain his place. “There is no way Wirtz should be playing ahead of Gravenberch,” Carragher said.¹

That argument contrasts patience for newcomers with a harder assessment of a player who has already accumulated a substantial run of appearances. Carragher acknowledged he did not want to single out Liverpool players, but maintained that the judgment was based on a long enough sample rather than a handful of matches.

His sharpest concern was Wirtz’s threat near goal. Carragher said the midfielder “never looks like scoring a goal” and added: “There’s absolutely no goal threat whatsoever.”¹ The criticism therefore goes beyond one defeat: it is a call for Liverpool to alter their attacking balance until Wirtz produces more consistently.