Jamie Carragher says Chelsea flop offers more than Florian Wirtz amid Andoni Iraola 'decision'

Jamie Carragher has offered a blunt verdict on Florian Wirtz, suggesting that Andoni Iraola has a "decision" to make on the German after the upcoming international break

Jamie Carragher has offered a blunt verdict on Liverpool playmaker Florian Wirtz after he struggled to make an impact during the Reds' 1-0 win over Bournemouth this weekend.

Wirtz has just one goal contribution to his name so far under Andoni Iraola, with Carragher calling for him to be taken out of the starting XI in order to balance things up in midfield. Alexander Isak has been scoring regularly, but the man alongside him, Wirtz, is yet to get going.

"I think going forward, he’s got a decision to make, Iraola," Carragher said on Sky Sports. "I mean, Wirtz wouldn’t be in my Liverpool team. He wouldn’t.

"When I actually go through the Premier League, I was thinking about this on the way because I thought it was a big game for Wirtz because I thought if he doesn’t produce today, he’s going to have a three-week break.

"By the time we come back to October. Before we know it, it will be Christmas! He has to do something.

"If you look at the league and players in his position... forget the top teams; normal Premier League players in the middle of the table who have done more for their clubs.

"I think of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall at Everton. No one will say he’s a better player than Wirtz, but every three to four weeks, he scores a goal.

"I watched Morgan Gibbs-White last week against Aston Villa. He put in a performance for 45 minutes that Wirtz has never done before for Liverpool. I saw a goal Emi Buendia scored. They are giving their club bits.

"I don’t think Liverpool fans have been harsh on Wirtz. I don’t think the football public in general have been harsh at all about Florian Wirtz."

Carragher was critical of Wirtz having watched him at the Vitality Stadium, where he was withdrawn in the second half.

"That was one of the poorest I’ve ever seen him in a Liverpool shirt," Carragher added. "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 and when you watch him, there’s things that you like. You know, he'll get 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 Florian Wirtz is in poor form since he’s come to Liverpool. I actually think what we’re seeing is what he is.

"I was worried for him probably 12 months ago and maybe that was a little bit early to say that but I didn’t say it. It was just in the back of my head. I don’t see how he’s going to hurt you.

"He’s neat and tidy and in some ways the price tag for that sort of player should be half of what Liverpool paid."

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