Jamie Carragher Critiques Liverpool's Midfield and Transfer Strategy Amidst Struggles
Jamie Carragher has expressed serious concerns regarding Liverpool's midfield setup, particularly following their 2-2 draw against Newcastle. He questioned how Florian Wirtz, signed for £116.5m, fits into the team, suggesting that this transfer window might be among the worst in Premier League history. Carragher highlighted a significant midfield dilemma, stating, "I don't believe that midfield can function with the personnel in there." He observed that while Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai were in midfield, Szoboszlai often pushed forward, creating gaps for Newcastle to exploit. Carragher compared Liverpool's issues to those faced by Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, emphasizing the lack of balance in their approach. He advocated for the urgent need to sign a holding midfielder to provide more security against counterattacks. Carragher noted, "Liverpool need someone alongside Gravenberch," and suggested a tactical reshuffle, moving Szoboszlai to the No 10 role. The pundit remains skeptical about Wirtz's fit within the current setup, citing his underwhelming performance last season with just five goals and three assists in 33 Premier League appearances. Carragher remarked, "I don't see where he fits in at all, really." Reflecting on last summer's £445m spending spree, which included notable signings such as Alexander Isak for £125m, Carragher fears it may have set the club back significantly, calling it possibly the worst transfer window in Premier League history. He stated, "If this doesn't change in the next two or three months... we could be looking at that as arguably the worst transfer window we've probably seen." Finally, Carragher expressed doubt about Liverpool's prospects for the current season, saying, "I don't think Liverpool will be contenders this season." He suggested that if the team qualifies for the Champions League, it should be considered a success as they navigate through this transition period.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-08-24