Jamie Carragher has admitted he is unsure whether Florian Wirtz can make a success of himself in the Premier League, with the former Liverpool defender questioning whether the Germany international “possesses the tools to overcome the physical challenge”.

Wirtz joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen last summer in a deal worth £115m, but he did not make an immediate impact in his first campaign as Liverpool endured a difficult season. Their title defence unravelled and Arne Slot eventually departed the club at the end of the campaign.

Although the German produced occasional glimpses of his quality, he could not put together a sustained run of form as the Reds ended the season in fifth place.

Former Liverpool defender Carragher has now cast doubt on whether Wirtz can stamp his authority on the league in what he described as a “make-or-break season” for the player.

“The jury is out on whether he possesses the tools to overcome the physical challenge. I must admit, I have my doubts,” Carragher wrote in his column for the Telegraph.

“When he joined Liverpool, the hope at Anfield was that Wirtz would dominate in the same manner as Kevin De Bruyne did. But the German does not have the athleticism or running and shooting power of De Bruyne.

“Even at his best, Wirtz has looked ‘neat and tidy’ rather than the killer in and around the penalty box one would have expected given his fee and reputation. He has resembled a useful squad addition for about £40m rather than a game-changer who cost £115m,” Carragher added.

Carragher also pointed to the argument from Wirtz’s “backers” that players can often need a season to adjust to English football, while also stressing that Wirtz could again find himself shifted out of position – or even out of the team altogether – if Liverpool’s defensive problems are not resolved.

“If Wirtz does not have the desired impact in the early games this season, it is not difficult to foresee history repeating itself and Iraola realising he must compromise attacking romanticism for pragmatism,” wrote Carragher, referring to the fact that Slot was forced to use the German on the left wing rather than in his preferred attacking midfield role last season.

“Given [Andoni] Iraola sets up his side with out-and-out wingers, such circumstances would raise serious doubts about Wirtz’s future,” Carragher added.

Wirtz was part of what looked like an impressive summer transfer window that also brought in Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, but only Ekitike managed to leave a mark as Liverpool finished 25 points behind champions Arsenal.

Liverpool will begin their 2026/27 season away to Newcastle at St James’ Park, with the match scheduled for Sunday, 23 August at 4.30pm.