Former Red suggests Liverpool star can’t be in the team at the moment

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes that young German midfielder Florian Wirtz may not be the right fit for the team at the moment. Speaking on the Jamie Carragher podcast, Carragher raised concerns about Wirtz's ability to impact the team positively. The former Liverpool defender questioned whether Wirtz's talent alone would translate into the desired improvements from supporters.

Carragher argued that Wirtz's influence is more about creating chances and turning promising situations into goals, rather than simply being technically accomplished. He criticized Wirtz for not causing enough trouble for opponents and failing to link attacks effectively. While acknowledging Wirtz's ability to negotiate tight spaces and make good touches, Carragher argued that these moments haven't translated into sustained attacking impact.

Moreover, Carragher pointed out that selecting Wirtz could have knock-on effects on Liverpool's midfield balance. He suggested that using Wirtz as a number ten could move Dominik Szoboszlai into a deeper midfield role, where he might not be as effective. This raises questions about how well the midfield can accommodate Wirtz without compromising the team's overall performance.

Carragher emphasized that Liverpool needs to evaluate the functioning of the entire unit, not just the potential of an individual player. He argued that a creative midfielder can justify changes in the team, but when that influence is uncertain, compromises become harder to justify. Carragher concluded that Wirtz's current performances do not justify his place in Liverpool's starting lineup.

However, he also expressed a desire for the young player to succeed and for the club to win. The discussion highlights the difficult decision Liverpool faces in both retaining Wirtz for continuity and exploring alternative midfield options to address the perceived balance issues.