Wirtz Finds His Groove, But Pressure Mounts on Liverpool's Star Playmaker

Florian Wirtz is starting to show his potential at Liverpool, contributing a goal or assist in the team's last three matches, all victories. The Reds now brace for a pivotal stretch of three home games that could define their season. Wirtz shone in a 3-0 defeat against Manchester City, but the aftermath wasn't pretty for the young playmaker. Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool captain, suggested Wirtz might need to be dropped, criticizing his performances and calling for Ryan Gravenberch to take his place. "I’m afraid to say, the Wirtz signing isn’t working out as hoped. Gravenberch shouldn’t be on the bench when Wirtz is starting," Carragher remarked. "It’s time for Wirtz to step up; he hasn’t been the game-changer we expected. I thought he could be a key player, like Kevin De Bruyne for City." Carragher pointed out that Wirtz has now played over 55 games without demonstrating the impact expected from a player of his caliber. "It’s time to reconsider his starting position. I’ve said it before, and I'll say it again." But football can change in the blink of an eye, and Wirtz is heading into a crucial stretch on a high after impressive performances against LASK, Brentford, and Villarreal. Last weekend, he was instrumental in Liverpool’s victory over Brentford, helping the team come back to hand the Bees their first loss of the season. Wirtz created nine chances during the match, the most by any player in the Premier League since 2021, while his overall tally of 20 chances created this season leads the league. He also played a key role in Liverpool’s 6-3 Champions League win in Austria, assisting Bradley Barcola's hat-trick goal with a clever pass. In the thrilling 4-3 win against Villarreal, Wirtz scored his first goal since April, marking a significant moment in his comeback. His contributions have been vital as the Reds aim to build on their recent success. Iraola expressed hope that Wirtz can continue his upward trajectory. "He’s had two excellent games recently, contributing significantly both with and without the ball," the Liverpool manager said. "We’re analyzing everything closely, but it’s only fair to acknowledge when he performs well." Despite the positive vibes surrounding Wirtz, the manager knows the scrutiny won't fade easily. After a debut season where Wirtz managed just seven goals and ten assists in 49 appearances, expectations are sky-high. It's important to remember that the recent matches have been favorable for Wirtz. The conditions against LASK and Brentford, especially with the latter playing a man down, allowed him to shine. However, Iraola must navigate a tricky schedule, with upcoming matches against Brighton, Arsenal, and Chelsea. Wirtz’s form could be crucial, but the stats reveal a deeper truth. Many of his chances created haven’t been classified as high-quality opportunities. Liverpool currently struggles in terms of expected goals, ranking only 16th in the Premier League this season. With crucial games on the horizon, Iraola faces a dilemma: he needs Wirtz to perform consistently, but he must also keep the team's broader attacking issues in mind. Liverpool hasn’t won at home since late April, and the pressure is mounting as they prepare for what could be season-defining fixtures.