Overview
- Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City left Florian Wirtz subdued and led Jamie Carragher to say the midfielder should be removed from Liverpool’s starting XI.
- Wirtz was substituted shortly after Ryan Gravenberch’s red card and produced few meaningful attacking actions, continuing a run without a Premier League goal this season and limited end product for the club.
- Former players and broadcasters have urged Andoni Iraola to consider giving Wirtz a short spell out of the team to rebuild confidence rather than persist with him in the No.10 role.
- Data cited by analysts shows Wirtz often receives progressive passes but ranks only around midtable for expected threat, meaning he gets into positions but too rarely delivers decisive final actions.
- The size of his long‑term contract and £116m transfer fee complicate any sale, so Liverpool face an immediate selection decision and a longer debate about role, development or potential replacements.