Carragher's Wirtz verdict puts pressure on Klopp to revive Liverpool's £116m signing

Jamie Carragher has issued a stark warning over Florian Wirtz’s Liverpool career, declaring that Jurgen Klopp’s upcoming Germany camp may be the playmaker’s “last hope” after another underwhelming display in the Reds’ 1-0 win at Bournemouth.

Wirtz was substituted in the 73rd minute at the Vitality Stadium, having failed to impose himself against a Bournemouth side that had played in Europe just three days earlier. Carragher, assessing the performance on his podcast, did not hold back. “That was one of the poorest I’ve ever seen him in a Liverpool shirt,” the former Liverpool defender said, before going further: “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.”

The verdict stands in sharp contrast to the language Klopp used when endorsing Wirtz’s £116 million move to Anfield in 2025. The Germany head coach has described the 23-year-old as “exceptional” and “once in a century” — praise that now carries added weight given Klopp will work directly with him during the international window.

Wirtz is among 44 players called up by Klopp for Germany’s upcoming fixtures. He will not feature in their Nations League opener against the Netherlands but is set to play in the final two games against Serbia and Greece — opponents that, on paper, should offer him the platform to rediscover his best form.

Klopp has already moved to manage expectations ahead of those matches. “We need to be satisfied when Flo Wirtz plays a game in which he gave everything but didn’t register a goal or assist,” the Germany manager said. “We simply need to give the boy the feeling, ‘That was more than good enough today. You helped us as a team. We won 1-0 or 2-0’.”

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola offered a more measured take after the Bournemouth win, suggesting Wirtz improved as the match progressed. “Florian has helped us also to improve,” Iraola said. “Second half he was playing much better, he was finding better spots to receive and turn.”

But Carragher’s warning cuts to the heart of the debate around Liverpool’s record signing. With the Reds’ attacking options including Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai, Wirtz was expected to be the creative fulcrum who elevated those around him. So far, that version of the player has yet to consistently appear.

Whether Klopp can unlock it on international duty — and whether that translates back to club football — may define how Wirtz’s first season at Anfield is ultimately judged.