⚡ “IT MAKES NO SENSE!” – JAMIE CARRAGHER BLASTS ARNE SLOT FOR BENCHING FLORIAN WIRTZ AGAINST BURNLEY
Liverpool may have snatched a late victory over Burnley, but the performance left both supporters and pundits pulling their hair out. Despite dominating possession and territory, the Reds looked sluggish in attack for much of the game. And according to club legend Jamie Carragher, there’s a simple reason: Arne Slot keeps leaving Florian Wirtz on the bench.
Carragher’s Fury
Speaking post-match, Carragher didn’t mince his words:
“The reason Liverpool struggle to break down teams like Burnley is because Slot refuses to start him. No manager in their right mind would keep a player of that quality on the bench. It kills the attack’s rhythm.”
The “him,” of course, was Wirtz—Liverpool’s blockbuster summer signing.
The Wirtz Problem
Hailed as a generational playmaker and likened to Kevin De Bruyne, Wirtz was expected to link up with Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak to form one of Europe’s most feared front lines. But against Burnley, Slot once again left him out of the starting XI, opting instead for a more conservative midfield setup.
The result? Liverpool controlled the game but lacked cutting edge until Wirtz’s introduction late on—by which point several chances had already gone begging.
“Almost Criminal”
Carragher couldn’t hide his frustration at seeing Wirtz used as a substitute.
“You’ve got a world-class creator sitting there while the team cries out for invention. It’s almost criminal. Wirtz should be one of the first names on the team sheet—he’s exactly the kind of player who wins these tight matches.”
Carragher even warned that Slot risks unrest within the squad if he continues to sideline the German star.
Fans Back Carragher
Liverpool supporters were quick to echo the pundit’s anger. Social media lit up with criticism of Slot’s decision-making, with one fan writing:
“Bench Wirtz and you bench creativity. We looked clueless until he came on. Slot is overthinking everything.”
Others accused the manager of being “too cautious” and “holding back Liverpool’s new-look attack.”
What’s Next for Slot?
With sterner tests looming and rivals Manchester City and Arsenal scoring freely, Slot is under growing pressure to unleash Wirtz from the start. Carragher’s warning was clear:
“No manager in world football benches a player like Wirtz. Play him—or Liverpool’s title challenge could slip away.”
