Former Liverpool star tells Arne Slot where he needs to use Florian Wirtz | OneFootball

Carragher urges Slot to persist with Wirtz in key Liverpool role

Jamie Carragher has delivered a decisive verdict on Florian Wirtz’s growing influence at Liverpool, insisting Arne Slot has finally identified the ideal position to draw the best from the Germany international. His standout display in the 2-0 win over West Ham United has not only sharpened the debate around his long-term role, but also highlighted the broader tactical puzzle facing the Liverpool manager.

Wirtz’s rising impact under Slot

Wirtz arrived on Merseyside carrying significant expectation after shining at Bayer Leverkusen, predominantly operating in the inside-left pocket of a fluid 3-4-3. His shift into Slot’s favoured 4-2-3-1 required adjustment, with early signs suggesting he had yet to fully replicate his Bundesliga influence.

Sunday’s victory at the London Stadium offered the clearest breakthrough to date. By drifting naturally into that familiar left-sided channel, the 22-year-old consistently took up dangerous positions between West Ham’s lines. His link-up play with Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak was intelligent and incisive, helping Liverpool control the contest with authority.

Wirtz created several high-value chances, completed 42 of his 45 passes, and brought tempo and precision to Liverpool’s attacking sequences. The late missed opportunity aside, it was the closest he has looked to the player who dominated in Germany.

Carragher, speaking after the match, described the performance as a major step forward and urged Slot to maintain Wirtz in a similar role if Liverpool are to maximise his potential.

Carragher’s tactical assessment

Carragher noted that while Wirtz has often been discussed as a traditional No.10, it is the inside-left pocket where he historically does his most damaging work.

He said Wirtz had finally resembled the player Liverpool believed they were signing. The former defender even suggested the midfielder carries the potential to become one of the Premier League’s defining creative forces, drawing comparisons with the impact once made by Kevin De Bruyne in occupying similar spaces.

Carragher added that he initially expected Wirtz to operate from the right, drifting infield to replicate his recent performances in Mohamed Salah’s absence. Instead, Slot’s decision to deploy him where he could naturally influence the tempo brought clear reward.

“This is where he is at his best,” Carragher stressed. “That is why today was his most convincing Liverpool display.”

New questions for Slot’s squad structure

However, Carragher warned that Wirtz’s emergence in this specific role prompts wider selection challenges. With his upturn coming on an afternoon when Salah remained on the bench, Liverpool’s attacking hierarchy requires careful navigation.

It also raises questions around Dominik Szoboszlai, whose preferred zones overlap with Wirtz’s. Similarly, Isak’s improving form complicates the pathways for other forwards such as Hugo Ekitike.

Carragher argued that while Liverpool adapted impressively without a natural right winger at West Ham, the shape was far from ideal for Joe Gomez in advanced areas. The overall structure of the squad, he noted, still feels unbalanced.

Even so, he acknowledged that such issues will be secondary for Slot in the short term, with the manager primarily relieved to see Wirtz accelerating into form at a crucial stage of the campaign.