Dietmar Hamann believes Liverpool will eventually "pull the plug" on Florian Wirtz and says the transfer looks like a "huge misunderstanding". The former Reds player is interested to see how his compatriot performs for Germany under Jurgen Klopp during this international break.
Wirtz's difficult start at Anfield
Wirtz, 23, has been involved in just one of the dozen goals that Liverpool have scored across their seven matches in all competitions. His lone assist was for the equalising goal Victor Munoz scored against Nottingham Forest.
The midfielder has gone nine Liverpool games without a goal. Wirtz scored seven times in total during his debut season.
Hamann and Carragher criticise the midfielder
Ahead of Germany's four Nations League matches during this international break, 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."
Jamie Carragher singled out the Germany international after his performance in the 1-0 win over Bournemouth. 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."
Iraola defends Wirtz
Andoni Iraola defended his player when asked about Wirtz's performance after the match, 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."
