Florian Wirtz's Liverpool struggles deepened as the Reds were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City at Anfield, with the Germany international losing possession 16 times in the first half alone. The defeat came after the Premier League's independent commission found City guilty of breaching financial rules over "sham" contracts that inflated commercial revenue by nearly £900m between 2009 and 2018.
Wirtz fails to step up in key clash
Liverpool entered the match without their two most potent attackers this season, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, who both joined Hugo Ekitike on the sidelines during the international break. Dominik Szoboszlai was also absent, and Conor Bradley was not fully fit, leaving the Reds with as many as five first-team players out injured.
Wirtz, who cost Liverpool an initial £100m with a further £16m in add-ons, was tasked with taking on the mantle due to the absentees but was unable to wield any influence. He was the first to be taken off when Ryan Gravenberch was controversially sent off shortly after the hour mark.
Carragher criticises Wirtz's contribution
Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports post-match: "What Florian Wirtz is doing for Liverpool is not enough right now." He added: "We're not saying this after five-ten games, we're saying this after 50-60 games. Wirtz never looks like scoring a goal. You don't come away thinking he missed chances or he worked the goalkeeper. There was absolutely nothing today where you thought he put someone through, or nearly scored. There's absolutely no goal threat whatsoever."
Wirtz had only 46 touches of the ball compared to Rayan Cherki's 88 at the other end. Cherki, who now has six goals in his last seven games for club and country, finished off a sweeping team move by feinting past Jeremie Frimpong before sliding the ball underneath Alisson Becker for 3-0. Cherki made 21 successful passes in the final third compared to just six from Wirtz, and also topped the City list for shots (5), chances created (2) and successful dribbles (3).
City got the better deal
Liverpool met with Cherki and his representatives in the summer of 2025 and earmarked the France playmaker as a potential back-up to Wirtz if he opted to join Bayern Munich instead. Cherki eventually left Lyon for City in a deal worth around £35m after Wirtz had given his word about moving to Anfield. Right now, at least, there is no question that the Etihad club got the better deal.
Wirtz scored a wonderful goal in a 2-0 win over Serbia in the international break and was entrusted with the captain's armband under new Germany manager Jurgen Klopp. Wirtz said after that game: "We had a few conversations, and he gave me a few things to take on board and try to implement. I'm glad he spoke with me. It is definitely heading in the right direction [under Klopp]."
But Sunday's defeat was an alarming step backwards. One assist from six games and 469 minutes so far is not enough of a return for a player who Liverpool have bet the house on. There is still time on Wirtz's side at least, as it is early into a new season with a different head coach who is trying to implement a new, more aggressive and full-throated style. Right now, though, the alarm bells are chiming as loud as they have done.
