Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has told manager Arne Slot to drop new signing Florian Wirtz from the starting line-up following the Reds’ 1-0 loss to Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League.
Victor Osimhen’s first-half penalty proved decisive on Tuesday night, handing Liverpool a second straight defeat after their weekend setback against Crystal Palace.
Wirtz, who joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, has struggled to adapt and is still waiting for his first goal or assist after eight matches in all competitions.
Carragher believes the 21-year-old midfielder is affecting the team’s balance. Speaking on CBS Sports, he said:
“Right now, I don’t think the balance of the team is right, and the obvious one that stands out is Florian Wirtz – he’s just not at the races at all. He’s a young boy coming into a new league and has plenty of time to grow, but at this moment he needs to come out of the team. The manager needs to fix it.”
The defeat leaves Slot under pressure ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League trip to Stamford Bridge this weekend.