Liverpool’s recent Champions League defeat to Galatasaray has sparked concern among fans and pundits alike, with club legend Jamie Carragher calling for immediate changes. Following a lackluster run of form and growing criticism over defensive vulnerabilities, Carragher believes new signing Florian Wirtz should be temporarily dropped to help restore balance and stability within Arne Slot’s squad.
Carragher Sounds the Alarm After Istanbul Loss
The Reds were handed their second loss in just four days after a tightly contested match in Istanbul ended 1-0 in favor of Galatasaray. A decisive penalty from Victor Osimhen secured all three points for the Turkish side, exposing further cracks in a Liverpool team still struggling to replicate last season’s dominant form.
Despite sitting atop the Premier League table, Liverpool’s performances have left much to be desired. Their early-season success is increasingly viewed as fortunate rather than deserved, with questions mounting over their defensive structure under new boss Arne Slot.
“This Isn’t Top-Level Football” – Carragher’s Harsh Critique
Speaking to CBS Sports, Carragher didn’t hold back in his assessment of Liverpool’s current form.
“I don’t feel like I’m watching a top team,” Carragher said. “Liverpool aren’t playing football right now—they’re playing basketball. It’s just end to end. That’s not how elite teams operate.”
He went on to criticize the impact of recent transfer business, claiming that while the club has added flair in attack, it has come at the cost of defensive reliability. “They haven’t gained much going forward, but they’ve lost a lot at the back,” Carragher warned. “Slot needs to earn his money now—this isn’t the smooth ride of last season.”
Florian Wirtz in the Firing Line
A key figure in Carragher’s criticism is Florian Wirtz, the highly-touted German midfielder signed from Bayer Leverkusen for a potential £116 million this summer. The 22-year-old has yet to contribute a goal or assist since his arrival, and Carragher believes it’s time to take him out of the starting lineup.
“Right now, the balance of the team is all wrong, and Wirtz stands out,” Carragher explained. “He’s not at the level required at the moment. He’s young, he’s talented, and he’ll come good—but he needs to be taken out of the firing line for now.”
Carragher stressed that the decision wouldn’t be about punishing Wirtz, but rather allowing the team to regroup. “Get back to the basics, rebuild some defensive solidity, and then reintegrate him when the team is in a better place,” he added.
Defensive Frailty a Recurring Theme
Carragher also pointed to a string of poor defensive displays earlier in the season as signs of deeper problems. He cited Liverpool’s second-half collapse against a 10-man Newcastle and the alarming number of chances conceded to Crystal Palace as key red flags.
“Palace created seven big chances—that’s more than any team has conceded in a game this season—and Liverpool are supposed to be champions. This has been brewing for a while now, and it’s up to the manager to fix it,” Carragher concluded.
