Is it time for Liverpool to drop Wirtz?
More than a year since his £116m move, Florian Wirtz is still struggling to hit top form at Liverpool - so does he need to be dropped?
Key points
- Florian Wirtz has one assist in seven matches this season after 56 appearances with seven goals and 11 assists since his £116m move.
- Jamie Carragher said Wirtz should be dropped, while Andoni Iraola defended him and called for a collective view.
- Rayan Cherki, who cost £30m, has 16 goals and 18 assists in 65 games for Manchester City.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is facing questions over whether to drop Florian Wirtz after the German's slow start to the season. Wirtz, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m, has started every Premier League and Champions League game this term but has managed just one assist in seven matches.
The 23-year-old was substituted in the 66th minute of Sunday's 3-0 defeat by Manchester City at Anfield, shortly after Ryan Gravenberch was sent off and Erling Haaland scored. Wirtz has seven goals and 11 assists in 56 Liverpool appearances, with no goal involvements against any top-10 Premier League team last season.
What pundits said
Former Liverpool defender Steven Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live that Wirtz "doesn't impact the game enough" and drifts in and out. Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports that Wirtz should be dropped, adding that Liverpool have a problem scoring and creating chances.
Carragher said he did not want anyone to pile in on the player but that Liverpool need more and cannot wait. Meanwhile, Rayan Cherki, who cost Manchester City £30m from Lyon in June 2025, scored in the same match and has 16 goals and 18 assists in 65 appearances for City.
I think he needs to come out of the team, I said that last time out and I'm going to say it again
— Jamie Carragher
Iraola's response
Asked on Tuesday if Wirtz needed more time, Iraola defended his player and said he probably did not have his best game against City but has had good games this season. He said he prefers to look at things collectively and does not care who scores.
Wirtz created 95 chances from open play in all competitions last season, at least 27 more than any other Liverpool player. With Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai sidelined, dropping Wirtz would be a big call, but Liverpool have two games every week until the November international break.
