Wirtz has played 39 Premier League games. Carragher says he should be dropped

Jamie Carragher has expressed his disappointment with Florian Wirtz's performance at Liverpool, suggesting that the midfielder should be dropped from the team. Carragher had high hopes for Wirtz, likening him to Kevin De Bruyne, but the player has struggled to make a significant impact since his arrival at Anfield. The hefty price tag of £116 million and the weight of expectations have added pressure to his already challenging transition into the Premier League.

Wirtz has played 39 Premier League matches since joining Liverpool, averaging just 0.18 assists and 0.16 goals per game. These figures fall short when compared to the early performances of other midfielders like De Bruyne, Cole Palmer, and Martin Odegaard. While some may argue that assists depend on the finishing ability of teammates, Wirtz's overall contributions have not matched those of his peers during their initial seasons.

Despite being in the 90th percentile for chances created among attacking midfielders in Europe, Wirtz's assist numbers place him below the 50th percentile. His expected assists are also significantly lower than those of Odegaard and Palmer during their first 39 games. Additionally, Wirtz ranks low in total carries per 90 minutes and has not been effective in progressing the ball up the pitch, raising concerns about his role in the team.

Critics have noted that Wirtz's performance appears to be declining under head coach Andoni Iraola. His statistics for chances created and touches in the opposition box have dropped significantly this season compared to last. Although he has improved slightly in assists, this increase is minimal and does not reflect a substantial improvement in his overall play. The current tactical setup under Iraola may not suit Wirtz's strengths, further complicating his situation at Liverpool.

via Sky Sports