Florian Wirtz is yet to score his first goal for Liverpool which has led to a debate between Jamie Carragher and Wayne Rooney
15:49, 11 Nov 2025Updated 15:52, 11 Nov 2025
Florian Wirtz’s future at Liverpool has been the subject of debate(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney and Jamie Carragher are in disagreement about Florian Wirtz’s start to life at Liverpool. The Germany international has endured a mixed start to his Anfield career following his blockbuster move from Bayer Leverkusen during the summer transfer window.
Liverpool agreed a deal worth an initial £100million for Wirtz after weeks of speculation, with the overall package of the transfer reaching up to £116million with add-ons. Since then, Wirtz has yet to score his first goal for the Reds but has still chipped in with three assists.
The November international break is now in full swing, with Wirtz already linking up with his Germany teammates for the next week. The Liverpool No.7 will also have an eye on returning to Merseyside for the Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on November 22 after the break.
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Both Rooney and Carragher appeared on The Overlap Fan Debate courtesy of Sky Bet, where Wirtz’s time at Liverpool became a topic of debate. Carragher explained why he has concerns about Wirtz’s time as a Reds player so far.
“I was worried about Florian Wirtz early on – not because he wasn’t amazing,” said Carragher. “When you pay that much money for someone, I just want to see a few glimpses of something to make me think, ‘I know he’s not the Bayer Leverkusen version yet, but I can see little things’.
“That was early on, and I’ve seen a few things – the backheel at Chelsea, he played well against Real Madrid.
“My worry about Wirtz is when people say things like he has to get used to his teammates, he’s played well in Europe, but it’s a different game to the Premier League.
“He played well at Frankfurt and against Real Madrid at home, but he’s found it really tough in the Premier League. I worry about him going forward – I get it’s early days, but I need to see something to keep me thinking that this will work.”
Rooney, however, had a different view to Carragher, as the former Manchester United and Everton striker explained why he is confident that Wirtz will find his best form at Liverpool. He added he prefers the recent change of Wirtz playing on the left instead of in a central role.
“I like Wirtz coming off the left, how he’s done the last couple of games,” said Rooney.
“I know he hasn’t scored, but he has created a good number of chances which his teammates haven’t taken. I think he’ll be fine – players just take time to settle in.
“To go from Leverkusen to Liverpool, it’s a big jump. Liverpool is a massive club, and it’s not going well for the whole group at Liverpool at the minute.
“When that happens and you’re a new player and the money they’ve spent on him, and similar with Alexander Isak as well, there will be questions, but I think they’ll be fine.”
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