At the start of the season, several Liverpool stars have underperformed.
Reds fans have been left with mixed emotions so far this season. Liverpool sit atop the Premier League table, yet their performances have often raised concerns among supporters.
Late winners had masked some issues in previous weeks, but Crystal Palace handed Liverpool their first defeat of the campaign on Saturday, exploiting the Reds at their own game.
Arne Slot attempted to experiment in hopes of improving the performance, starting Florian Wirtz on the left rather than in his customary No. 10 role. Unfortunately, this tactical tweak did not pay off.l
The German’s underwhelming start to life in the Premier League continues to attract scrutiny, but football legend Jamie Carragher insists the blame should not fall solely on Wirtz.
Alexis Mac Allister’s impact
Many Liverpool players have struggled to hit top form, meaning singling out individuals might be unfair. That said, Wirtz’s £116m price tag has naturally drawn attention when things go wrong.
Carragher believes Alexis Mac Allister’s slow start has significantly affected Wirtz’s adaptation. “I think another problem for Liverpool and for Wirtz is that Mac Allister hasn’t been at his best,” he said on Sky Sports during Monday Night Football.
The Argentine midfielder has battled injuries throughout pre-season, with minor niggles persisting into the league campaign. His minutes are still being managed carefully.
Mac Allister has been less involved than usual, struggling to dictate play and get on the ball, which in turn forces Wirtz to drop deeper to receive possession, limiting his creativity.
Wirtz’s adaptation to Liverpool
At Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz was the central figure, orchestrating play and driving the team forward. At Liverpool, he has not yet enjoyed the same freedom or influence on matches.
Carragher highlighted that the 22-year-old is simply not receiving the ball as often as he did in Germany. His teammates must work to bring him into the game more effectively.
The Premier League’s pace and physicality also mean Wirtz has less time on the ball, a challenge he will need to adapt to. Despite these struggles, he has shown glimpses of his immense talent.
Once Wirtz finds rhythm and chemistry with teammates, particularly Mac Allister, it would be no surprise to see him explode onto the Premier League scene and become a transformative player for Liverpool