Jamie Carragher doubles down on Florian Wirtz in fresh Liverpool criticism - 'It looks a mess'

Liverpool have suffered back-to-back defeats and Jamie Carragher believes that he is currently not watching a top team as he called on Arne Slot to make a major Florian Wirtz selection decision

Jamie Carragher has called for Florian Wirtz to be dropped as he described the current state at Liverpool as a 'mess'. The Reds tasted a 1-0 defeat against Galatasaray with Victor Osimhen's first-half penalty proving to be the difference.

As a result, Arne Slot suffered back-to-back defeats, following on from Saturday's dismal 2-1 loss at Crystal Palace, in a rare sequence for the Dutchman. While results have been there, barring the blip at Selhurst Park, cracks have appeared and the worries surrounding the Reds' capability to defend their Premier League crown are emerging.

Wirtz's £116million move posed intrigue with the highly-rated German looking to carry on his form after setting the Bundesliga alight. However, after eight games in the Premier League and Champions League, the 22-year-old hasn't registered a single goal contribution.

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OPINION

It has led to opinions being split over his place in the team. Carragher, who won the Champions League with the Reds in 2005, finally conceded that it may be time for Wirtz to drop to the bench so the defending champions can refind their form.

"I'm not watching a top team," he told CBS Sports. “Liverpool are not playing football, they are playing basketball. And I told Slot this on the first game of the season against Bournemouth.

"They obviously have a fantastic manager. Liverpool last season were a top team, but also a workman-like team, which they've sprinkled a bit of stardust on in terms of the transfers they have brought in.

"And they haven't gained anything going forward, but they've lost a lot defensively.

"I think for the manager now, he know needs to really earn his money. He did last season, by winning the Premier League, but there are few problems he has got to fix.

"It will be really interesting how he does about it, because he spent a lot of money on certain players.

"Right now, the balance of the team is not right, and the obvious one that stands out is Florian Wirtz, who is just not at the races at all. He's a young boy, coming to a new league, and has plenty of time to go.

"But right now, he needs to come out of the team, Liverpool go back to what they were last season, and try to build some confidence and some stability. Right now it looks like a mess."

It follows on from a damning assessment during his Sky Sports segment on Sky Sports.

The ex-defender noted that the form of Alexis Mac Allister hasn't aided Wirtz in his bedding-in period and called for Liverpool to do more to help him acclimatise.

Speaking on Monday, Carragher said: "I think we should be analysing someone who cost that money. He has come in as a renowned star, Bundesliga player of the year two seasons running, won the Bundesliga, seasoned international with Germany.

"I think it’s fair to say he hasn’t been great for Liverpool so far, but also I don’t think Liverpool have been great for him so far. They have to come together and try to make things work as best as they possibly can.

"Liverpool have got to do more for him also, as he’s not getting the ball anywhere near as often as before.

"He has found it tough. Newcastle away was always going to be a baptism of fire in that left-half position, but you’re coming up against that midfield, I can understand that. Against Burnley is where I thought we might see him at his best, he did okay.

"This is happening quite a bit where he's trying to get his shots off and people are just on top of him a little bit quicker. We know the standards of the Premier League are better than the Bundesliga. It’s probably quicker. he’s not being allowed to get his shots off.

"In this situation, it’s faster, people are on top of him more, it’s more physical he’s a young boy, trying to meet the demands of the league, there’s no doubt about that."

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