Wirtz answers Carragher jibe as Liverpool midfielder targets Premier League breakthrough

Florian Wirtz has dismissed the criticism aimed at him since his move to Liverpool, insisting he is unaffected by outside opinions as his performances begin to improve after a difficult start at the club.

The 23-year-old Germany international joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025 for €125m. The British-record transfer raised expectations over what he would deliver, but his early displays fell short of those demands and prompted strong criticism, including from Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.

Speaking to Sky, Wirtz said: “I don’t care at all what anyone says about me, because I don’t pay any attention to it whatsoever.”

He said his enjoyment of football and desire to succeed remained his main motivation.

“I play football because I enjoy it. I want to be successful, and that is normal,” he added.

Asked about the volume of media attention surrounding his performances, Wirtz responded with a smile: “Maybe I’m just an interesting person.”

The comment was a sarcastic reference to the scrutiny he has faced since arriving in the Premier League.

Carragher calls for Wirtz to be rested

Carragher’s criticism followed Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat by Manchester City earlier this month. The former defender said Wirtz had not done enough to decide matches in Liverpool’s favour.

Carragher, who made 737 appearances for Liverpool, said he could not remember a single game in which Wirtz had been the direct reason for victory. He called on the manager to rest the midfielder and remove him from the starting XI, arguing that he had already been given enough opportunities to prove himself.

Wirtz, however, showed signs of returning to form in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Brighton.

His shot found the net but was officially recorded as an own goal by Pascal Gross, meaning the German is still waiting to score his first Premier League goal of the season.

“It’s okay… I’ll deal with it,” Wirtz said of the incident, reflecting his determination to move beyond the pressure and continue working.

He scored seven goals and provided 10 assists in 49 appearances during his first season with Liverpool. This season, he has scored once and supplied three assists in 10 Champions League matches.

His first European goal of the campaign came in Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Villarreal, providing further encouragement as he attempts to rediscover his best form and demonstrate why the club paid a record fee for him.

Liverpool’s next listed EFL Cup fixture is against Chelsea on 28 October 2026. Manchester City are also listed to face Brighton in the competition on the same date.