Another pundit has joined Jamie Carragher in singling out Florian Wirtz after his latest performance for Liverpool, claiming that he “doesn’t look like he belongs in this league”.
Wirtz has come in for some heavy criticism after his display in the Reds’ 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Sunday. The German international was chastised for a poor first half in which he made numerous mistakes on the ball, with his latest showing raising yet more questions about his place in Liverpool’s side.
The 23-year-old’s form has become a major talking point for Liverpool after a disappointing first season following his record-breaking move from Bayer Leverkusen.
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Both Andoni Iraola and Jurgen Klopp came out in defense of Wirtz last week, but his performance against Bournemouth has done nothing to silence his critics, with Reds legend Carragher not holding back in his verdict.
“That was one of the poorest I've ever seen him in a Liverpool shirt,” Carragher said, speaking on his new podcast.
“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's 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.”
Carragher went on to call for Wirtz to be dropped by Liverpool boss Iraola when the Reds return from the international break against Manchester City on October 11.
And his view has been backed up by former Premier League striker Troy Deeney, who feels that Wirtz’s performances are also bringing his teammates down.
“He just doesn’t look like he belongs in this league,” Deeney told TalkSPORT. “What I mean by that is, he’s clearly talented; clearly he’s got the technical ability.
“But it’s like he doesn’t believe he’s going to score and doesn’t believe he’s going to impact the game. Liverpool need more from him.”
The former Watford striker added: “The rest of the team are starting to disbelieve because every time it goes to him, the tempo slows down. And when they get back, it slows the whole thing down. Iraola just in front of us was absolutely blowing his top.”
Wirtz will now link up with Klopp and Germany during the international break, although he will not be in action until the start of October.
He has been selected by the former Liverpool boss in an expanded 44-man squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, with Wirtz set to feature in the second group of players named for games against Serbia (October 1) and Greece (October 4).