Liverpool's Wirtz problem - does he need to be dropped?

Liverpool's recent loss to Manchester City has reignited discussions about the effectiveness of their new signing, Florian Wirtz. Despite earning a £116 million transfer fee, the German midfielder has struggled to make an impact on the pitch. Over 56 appearances, he has only contributed with seven goals and 11 assists, failing to register any goals against top-tier opponents last season.

The situation has become even more concerning as Andoni Iraola, the team's new head coach, has opted to replace Wirtz in crucial moments, such as during the City match when Trey Nyoni came on in the 66th minute. Former Liverpool defender Steven Warnock has criticized Wirtz's lack of impact, stating that he "doesn't hurt teams" and "drifts in and out of games."

Additionally, Jamie Carragher has called for Iraola to drop Wirtz, arguing that the team needs more scoring and creating chances. With key players Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai sidelined, the pressure on Wirtz to deliver is mounting. However, his former manager Jurgen Klopp and current teammate Steven Gerrard believe in Wirtz's potential and urge patience.

Wirtz did have a standout performance in a Champions League match against Atlético Madrid, but moments like these are too few and far between. It remains to be seen whether Wirtz can adapt and rise to the challenge of his high-profile transfer.