Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz has not remotely delivered on his £107m price tag, and the club must now consider dropping him, according to Chief Football Writer John Cross.
Wirtz joined Liverpool in June 2025 for £107m and was signed by then-manager Arne Slot with the intention of building the team around him. The Germany international was expected to become the focal point of midfield, a No10 rather than part of a midfield three, in a shift away from the tactics that won the title in 2024/25.
Wirtz struggling under Iraola
Slot's system ultimately did not work last season, and he was replaced in the summer by Andoni Iraola, whose high-press, high-tempo style demands industry and legs in midfield. Iraola has had to compromise his tactics to accommodate Wirtz, but the playmaker is still waiting to come good.
In the home defeat to Manchester City, Wirtz showed little touches and moments of skill but got lost in the frantic nature of the game. The best player on the pitch was City's Rayan Cherki, who scored and showed a work rate that never stopped, making the judgement on Wirtz even harsher.
Carragher: Wirtz 'never looks like scoring'
Wirtz's Liverpool career so far has produced five Premier League goals and three assists last season, and this season six appearances with just one assist. Jamie Carragher, speaking on Sky, said: "Every time I watch Cherki, Bruno, Palmer play, they'll score or assist. If they don't, they come very close to. Palmer has eight goals or assists in his last 10 games, that's top level. Wirtz never looks like scoring a goal."
Carragher added: "Liverpool play with touchline wingers, not inside forwards like Salah and Mane. So if you're number 10 isn't going to score and your wingers hug the touchline, you only look at you're centre forward as the only player who's going to score. Liverpool have a real problem with scoring and creating chances under Iraola, and that's what you bought Wirtz for! He's doesn't offer anything defensively and he's not offering anything going the other way."
Gravenberch sidelined for Wirtz
Both Carragher and Gary Neville agreed that Ryan Gravenberch should be in the team. Gravenberch, whose form has dipped since the first half of the title-winning season, has been sidelined for Wirtz, and his industry is needed because Wirtz does not work hard enough.
There are mitigating factors, including the injury problems of Alexander Isak, bought for £125m to feed off Wirtz but injured for much of his Anfield time. Bradley Barcola should be given time, but Wirtz has had time.
Cross concludes that Iraola, a very good manager and excellent tactician, will only be a success if he is true to himself and makes big decisions, including taking Wirtz out of the firing line. Wirtz is not delivering, and Liverpool cannot carry passengers.
