Dietmar Hamann believes Liverpool's signing of Florian Wirtz now looks like a 'huge misunderstanding'. The former Reds midfielder now predicts that they will eventually 'pull the plug' on his fellow German.
Wirtz, 23, has plenty to prove during this international break after starting this season underwhelmingly for his club, registering just one assist. New national team head coach Jurgen Klopp will hope to get the best out of him in their four Nations League matches against Greece, the Netherlands and Serbia.
Hamann's warning on Wirtz's future
The attacking midfielder impressed for Germany at this summer's World Cup. However, that form has not translated to Anfield yet.
Looking ahead to the next three weeks, Hamann says: "The player I'm most interested in is Wirtz. Even the English have now realised that what happened between Liverpool and Wirtz looks like a huge misunderstanding.
"It will be interesting to see how he performs because if things continue like this in Liverpool, they'll eventually pull the plug. We'd have to ask those involved. I can only judge what I see, and what I see is a player who cost a lot of money, played poorly last year, and has had another poor start this year."
"When you're bought for that much money, naturally, they want you to make the difference in the final third of the game; he's doing that far too rarely."
Carragher's criticism and Iraola's defence
Jamie Carragher singled out the former Bayer Leverkusen player following his display in the 1-0 victory over Bournemouth. Speaking on his post-match Sky Sports podcast, the former Reds vice-captain said: "That was one of the poorest I've ever seen him in a Liverpool shirt.
"I've been critical of the fact that he hasn't got the numbers, but normally when you watch Wirtz, he's neat and tidy, he keeps possession, there are things that you like. He gets out of a tight situation where you're normally expecting your player to lose the ball.
"But the reason I worry is, I don't think Wirtz is in poor form since he came to Liverpool, I actually think what we're seeing is what he is."
Andoni Iraola leapt to his player's defence when quizzed about Wirtz's showing after the final whistle, telling Sky Sports: "He started the game slowly, I agree. The first minute was quite intense, and we were not quite with it, the duels in the middle.
"After that first phase, I think we improved. Florian has helped us also to improve.
"In the second half, he was playing much better; he was finding better spots to receive and turn. Probably we haven't found the last part or moment to score, but I think I'm much more happy with his second half than his first one."
