Carragher urges Iraola to drop Wirtz after Liverpool flop produces another disappointing display vs Man City

Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola should drop Florian Wirtz from the starting line-up after another disappointing performance in their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.

The Reds welcomed the visitors to Anfield hoping to build momentum, but Iraola’s side were comfortably beaten by the FA Cup champions despite showing some fight during the contest.

Wirtz has endured a difficult start to life at Anfield following his big-money move from Bayer Leverkusen, with the German playmaker struggling to deliver the performances expected of him.

He enjoyed a more encouraging international break, impressing for Germany under Jurgen Klopp.

However, Carragher believes his recent displays for Liverpool have not been good enough to justify his continued inclusion.

Speaking after the defeat to City, the former Liverpool defender argued that Wirtz has received enough opportunities to establish himself and must now make way.

Carragher also questioned whether the German should be playing ahead of Ryan Gravenberch.

He believes Liverpool need more balance and effectiveness in midfield and should not be accommodating their expensive signing.

Wirtz arrived on Merseyside with enormous expectations after establishing himself as one of Europe’s most exciting attacking midfielders.

But adapting to the Premier League has proved challenging. He has failed to make an impact in Liverpool’s biggest matches.

He lacks audacity and X-factor to be a difference-maker in the final third. He also doesn’t add any attacking impetus.

Liverpool have plenty to address following their defeat to City.

Iraola definitely needs to find a more effective midfield combination as his side attempts to recover from another damaging result, and it may just involve dropping Wirtz.

The Reds travel to face LASK before a tricky trip to Brentford. They then host Villarreal and lock horns with high-flying Brighton & Hove Albion.

Iraola might want to try dropping Wirtz for the most intense fixtures in this list, and allow him to build confidence against less strong opponents. It is clearly not working with him.