Iraola defends Wirtz after Carragher criticism as Liverpool edge Bournemouth 1-0

Andoni Iraola has pushed back against Jamie Carragher’s sharp criticism of Florian Wirtz, insisting the £116 million signing made a decisive contribution in the second half of Liverpool’s 1-0 victory at the Vitality Stadium. Alexander Isak scored the only goal of the game, with Wirtz playing a direct role in creating the space for his team-mate to finish.

Carragher had been unsparing in his assessment of the 23-year-old German during the first half, saying: “Wirtz has been really poor again. It’s just nothing. Nothing is happening there at all. In the main, people have been understanding of his situation. He’s new to the league and Liverpool were poor last season. When you come for that price tag, people want goals and assists.”

When Wirtz was substituted in the 73rd minute, Carragher added that the midfielder could have “no complaints” about being taken off.

Iraola, however, offered a more measured reading of the performance. “He started the game slowly, I agree,” the Bournemouth head coach said. “The first minute they went quite intense and we were not quite with us — the duels in the middle. After that first phase, I think we improved. Florian has helped us also to improve. Second half he was playing much better, he was finding better spots to receive and turn. I’m much more happy with his second half than his first one.”

Iraola also acknowledged that Liverpool’s slow start had cost his own side momentum. “At the beginning in the first 20 minutes, we weren’t at the level of the game,” he said. “We could see a bit later when Bournemouth started to get tired that in the second half we controlled the game much better. We even had chances to finish but didn’t score the second one.”

The Bournemouth manager was candid about the difficulty of the fixture for his team. “I know it’s a difficult place to come, very difficult place to get three points. That beginning of the game — we were not winning duels, second balls, and when they play with this intensity, you have to be at their level.”

Wirtz’s adaptation to the Premier League has been a talking point since his high-profile arrival, and the debate over his early-season form is unlikely to subside after another mixed display, even if Liverpool ultimately secured the three points.