“It’s Nonsensical!” – Carragher Blasts Slot for Leaving Liverpool Star Out vs Burnley
Liverpool may have secured three points with a narrow win over Burnley, but their display raised serious concerns. Despite dominating possession and piling on the pressure, the Reds found it difficult to unlock Vincent Kompany’s disciplined defense. For ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, the responsibility lies with head coach Arne Slot—specifically over one controversial lineup call.
Carragher was furious that Florian Wirtz, the creative spark Liverpool signed to transform their attack, once again started on the bench. Speaking after the match, he didn’t hold back:
“Liverpool’s struggles in matches like this are down to Slot’s decisions. He keeps leaving Wirtz out, and it’s damaging the team. No top manager would deliberately sideline a player of his quality—it’s unsettling the whole attack.”
The Wirtz Debate
Hailed as a game-changer when he arrived, Wirtz was expected to link Mohamed Salah with new striker Alexander Isak and form a fearsome frontline. Yet, Slot has leaned towards a safer midfield balance, relegating Wirtz to late cameos instead of starting roles.
That pattern repeated itself against Burnley. Liverpool looked threatening but lacked precision in the final third. By the time Wirtz was introduced, the team had already squandered several promising opportunities.
“Almost a Crime”
Carragher didn’t mince his words, describing Slot’s approach as a major tactical error:
“You’ve got one of Europe’s most talented creators watching from the bench, while your side is desperate for inspiration. Honestly, it’s almost a crime. Wirtz should be one of the first names on the team sheet.”
He also warned that continuing to sideline Wirtz could unsettle the squad, risking deeper issues within the dressing room.
Fans Back Carragher
Supporters were quick to echo Carragher’s frustration on social media. One post read:
“Drop Wirtz, and you drop our creativity. We looked blunt until he came on. Slot needs to stop overcomplicating things.”
Others accused the Dutch manager of being too defensive-minded, arguing that his cautious approach is holding Liverpool’s new-look attack back.
Looking Ahead
With tougher matches looming, pressure is mounting on Slot to get his selections right. While rivals like Manchester City and Arsenal are scoring freely, Liverpool can’t afford to keep stumbling in front of goal.
Carragher wrapped up his comments with a blunt warning:
“No top coach leaves Wirtz out. Start him, or Liverpool’s title hopes could collapse.”
