Carragher Says Wirtz Must Make Way in Liverpool's Starting XI

Jamie Carragher has called for Florian Wirtz to be taken out of Liverpool's starting line-up, saying the criticism of the midfielder is fair given the number of chances he has been handed. Speaking on the Gary Neville podcast, the former Liverpool defender questioned whether Wirtz has yet produced a single performance that has truly dominated a game for the club.

Carragher's argument rests on the gap between opportunity and output. Wirtz arrived at Anfield as one of the headline signings of Liverpool's rebuild, and that status has meant he has been given extended runs in the side. For Carragher, a player in that position should be judged on the impact he makes, not on the reputation or price tag that came with the move. Asking whether he has ever controlled a match outright is, in his view, a reasonable question for supporters and pundits to raise.

The former defender's conclusion is that Wirtz must come out of the team. Carragher did not frame the move as a verdict on the player's talent, but as a practical step that would force a response. A spell on the bench, he suggested, could give Wirtz the chance to earn his place back through what he does in training and in shorter cameos.

The comments add to a wider debate among Liverpool fans about how the club should balance patience with a young, expensive signing against the need for consistent results. Carragher, who knows the demands of the Anfield dressing room from his own long career, has made clear that he expects more from Wirtz than he has shown so far.

Listen to the Gary Neville podcast in full on Sky Sports platforms.