Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has expressed significant concerns about German midfielder Florian Wirtz’s ability to thrive in the Premier League. Wirtz, who joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen for £115 million last summer, struggled to make an immediate impact during his first season at Anfield as the club’s title defense crumbled and they finished fifth under manager Arne Slot.
Carragher questions whether Wirtz possesses the necessary physical attributes to succeed in English football, comparing him unfavorably to Kevin De Bruyne. The pundit argues that despite occasional glimpses of quality, Wirtz has appeared more like a useful squad option worth around £40 million rather than a game-changing signing matching his substantial transfer fee and pre-arrival reputation.
The upcoming campaign represents a crucial opportunity for Wirtz to prove his doubters wrong, though Carragher warns that history could repeat itself if the German fails to deliver early results. New manager Andoni Iraola may resort to deploying Wirtz on the left wing—where Slot frequently positioned him last season—rather than his preferred attacking midfield role, which could raise additional questions about his long-term prospects at the club.
Liverpool commence their 2026-27 season with an away fixture against Newcastle on August 23rd, presenting an early test for both Wirtz and the new managerial regime as they attempt to recover from a disappointing previous campaign.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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