Liverpool’s Champions League trip to Istanbul has sparked fierce debate, with Jamie Carragher questioning our team’s balance and singling out Florian Wirtz after the loss to Galatasaray.
Carragher highlights Wirtz struggles in Liverpool midfield
Speaking on CBS Sports Golazo, Carragher was clear in his assessment.
“There’s a few problems there that he’s got to fix, and it’ll be really interesting how he goes about it because he’s spent a lot of money on certain players,” the former defender said.
“But right now, I don’t think the balance of the team is right, and the obvious one that stands out right now is Florian Wirtz. He’s just not at the races at all.
“He’s a young boy coming into a new league. He’s got plenty of time to go as a Liverpool player.
“But right now, I think he needs to come out of the team, Liverpool get back to what they were last season, and then go from there.”
Wirtz, a £116m summer arrival from Bayer Leverkusen, has yet to find his rhythm since making the switch to Anfield.
His average match rating of 3.34 on BBC Sport for the night in Istanbul was the second lowest (ahead of Ibou Konate) of any player who started for the Reds.
Dominik Szoboszlai was also criticised for his performance at right back, on a night where few impressed in Turkey.
It adds another layer to an already difficult week, with Hugo Ekitike and Alisson injured in the second half against Galatasaray, and a trip to Chelsea looming.
Liverpool have already invested heavily in attacking talent, including Alexander Isak, but the past two results underline the pressure on Arne Slot to settle his side.
Liverpool must find answers quickly after Istanbul setback
Carragher’s comments echo what many have observed, that the defensive solidity of last season has not yet returned.
Even with Virgil van Dijk and Konate at the back, our shape was exposed, forcing Alisson into repeated saves before his withdrawal.
The 47-year-old head coach faces big calls in the coming days.
Whether Wirtz is taken out of the side temporarily or trusted to play through this form, it’s clear our boss needs to quickly rediscover the balance that carried us to the Premier League title last season.
You can watch Carragher’s comments on Wirtz via CBS Sports Golazo on YouTube
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Some would argue that wirtz and Kirkez will get better but for me I wouldn’t have bought either of them. Both players are lightweight, they give very little without the ball. Teams are getting more time on the ball because slot has decided to scrap the way we played under klopp. We don’t press, we drop off without the ball, the midfield doesn’t win enough duels and if you play wirtz in the midfield we are even more exposed. This has been coming for a while , look back to some of the performances last season, a gradual decline from a klopp team to the way slot is now coaching these players. Its more than a mess. What is now showing is how good a manager klopp was. We are finding out that slot is third rate.