BBC Sport: Andoni Iraola defends Wirtz after Jamie Carragher calls for Liverpool to drop him

Jamie Carragher has urged Liverpool to drop Florian Wirtz after Sunday’s defeat by Manchester City at Anfield, while manager Andoni Iraola has defended the playmaker, BBC Sport reported on 13 October. Speaking to Sky Sports, Carragher said Wirtz was offering too little in attack or defence and that Liverpool needed more from him now. [1]

Asked on Tuesday whether the playmaker needed more time, Iraola defended Wirtz. He acknowledged that Wirtz might not have been at his best against Manchester City, but said he had played well in other games this season and urged a more collective assessment of the team’s performances. [1]

During the defeat at Anfield, Iraola replaced Wirtz with Trey Nyoni in the 66th minute, shortly after Ryan Gravenberch was sent off and Erling Haaland put City ahead, the report said. [1]

According to BBC Sport, Wirtz has started all seven of Liverpool’s league and Champions League matches this season, recording one assist. Last season, he created 95 chances from open play across all competitions – at least 27 more than any other Liverpool player. [1]

BBC Sport also reported supportive comments from Steven Gerrard and Jurgen Klopp. Gerrard called Wirtz a major talent who deserved a chance and support in comments to The Overlap. Klopp described him as an outstanding player, saying attacking players need a functioning team around them. [1]

With Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai sidelined and Liverpool facing two matches a week before the November international break, dropping Wirtz would be a big call, BBC Sport said. [1]