Iraola Backs Wirtz and Barcola 100% Despite Liverpool Criticism

Iraola gives 100 per cent backing to Wirtz and Barcola

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has publicly backed big-money signings Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola, saying he trusts them "100 per cent" amid mounting criticism. The pair have struggled to justify their fees, and with three top scorers injured, Liverpool face LASK on Wednesday under pressure to deliver.

Headline: Iraola gives 100 per cent backing to Wirtz and Barcola despite criticism
Competition: Champions League — Liverpool travel to Austria to face LASK
Missing: Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai are out injured
Fees: Wirtz cost £116m from Bayer Leverkusen; Barcola cost £123m from PSG
Impact: Wirtz has 39 Premier League games since joining; Barcola has made six appearances
Next: Brentford, Villarreal and Brighton follow, with the injured trio doubtful

What was said

"It's true Cody, Alex and Dom are top scorers this season as they are the ones playing more in those positions. We need our players to give us those numbers; we trust the players we have now to play in those positions. Bradley and Flo have had good and bad games this season like everyone else, but we know their level, and for sure we know they will give us good performances. At the end, the responsibilities are the same. Sometimes we are too focused on just the numbers. I was happy with a lot of things the other day. Bradley had good situations; we didn't finish them, but him and Flo also are players I trust 100 per cent."
— Andoni Iraola, Liverpool head coach, speaking ahead of Wednesday's Champions League trip to LASK

"He probably didn't have his best game but has had good games this season with us. Everyone starts looking for answers. He had some good performances in the national team; he scored one goal. He will have better and worse games, but I like to look at it more collectively, how they help us play well and get results. I don't care if one scores or the other scores, it is a more collective thing."
— Iraola on Florian Wirtz

Iraola's words are a clear deflection of blame from his underperforming stars. By emphasising that goals are a collective responsibility, he is attempting to relieve pressure on Wirtz and Barcola while acknowledging the numbers are not good enough. His reference to Wirtz's Germany performances — where he scored one goal — shows he is searching for any positive to highlight.

The manager also hinted at rotation for the LASK game, saying: "Because of freshness reasons and some niggles it will be difficult to put the same starting XI out tomorrow." This suggests he will trust his squad depth, even with key attackers missing.

Carragher: Wirtz has to be dropped

"I'm just sorry to say this: the Florian Wirtz signing isn't working, and it hasn't worked so far, and [Ryan] Gravenberch should not be sitting on the bench when Wirtz is playing for Liverpool. Barcola hasn't made a good start so far for Liverpool, but if we started being critical of him, that would be harsh because he's been here six weeks and didn't have a pre-season. You want a bit more from what you've seen already, but you think, 'hang on slow down, give him a bit more time'. That would be harsh having a go with him right now — it's not harsh to be having a go at Wirtz right now; he's got to do so much more. I struggle to think of one game where he's won Liverpool the game, or he's been the man. He was brought in to be a star of the Premier League. I felt he could be the Kevin De Bruyne that at times got Manchester City over the line. Wirtz has been here for 55-60 games; it's a lot, and I don't see it changing. Wirtz, where he's almost nailed on that he plays every week in that No.10 position, it has to stop. He needs to come out of the team. I said that last time out, and I'm going to say it again."
— Jamie Carragher, Sky Sports, speaking after Liverpool's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City

Carragher's assessment is damning and specific. He demands Wirtz be dropped and questions why Ryan Gravenberch is sitting on the bench while the German struggles. His point about Wirtz's 55-60 games without a defining moment cuts to the heart of the issue: for a £116m signing, the return has not been good enough.

Conversely, he offers Barcola leniency, noting the winger arrived six weeks ago without a pre-season. That distinction is crucial. Barcola is still adapting; Wirtz has had a full season and more.

The numbers

Wirtz's Premier League record: 39 games played since joining, averaging 0.18 assists and 0.16 goals per 90 minutes, creating 2.2 chances per 90.
Chance creation: Wirtz is in the 90th percentile of chances created among attacking midfielders in Europe's top five leagues since the start of last season.
Assist percentile: Despite that, his assist numbers do not put him in the 50th percentile.
Comparison: Kevin De Bruyne outperformed Wirtz in all three areas (goals, assists, chances created) in his first 39 Premier League games for Manchester City.
Also: Cole Palmer at Chelsea and Martin Odegaard at Arsenal had bigger impacts from the start.

Injury and availability

Liverpool are without their three leading goalscorers this season: Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai. All three are missing for the Champions League trip to LASK in Austria. Iraola is unsure whether any will be available for the following three matches against Brentford, Villarreal and Brighton. The manager also mentioned "niggles" that make it difficult to field the same starting XI.

Why Iraola is sticking with Wirtz and Barcola

With Isak, Gakpo and Szoboszlai injured, Iraola has little choice but to persist with Wirtz and Barcola. The squad is thin in attacking areas, and the alternatives are unproven. Dropping Wirtz for Gravenberch would mean a shift in shape or trusting a less creative midfielder in the No.10 role. Iraola's comment about "freshness reasons and some niggles" suggests he may rotate anyway, but he cannot afford to alienate his most expensive assets.

Wirtz's underlying numbers — 2.2 chances created per 90 and 90th percentile for chance creation — indicate he is doing some things right. The issue is the final product: his assists and goals are below average. For a player signed to be the next De Bruyne, that is a problem. Iraola's collective rhetoric is an attempt to buy time, but results must improve.

Barcola's case is different. Arriving late in the window from PSG, he has had no pre-season and only six appearances. Writing him off now would be premature. Iraola's trust in him is more a statement of patience than a reflection of current output.

Talking points

Should Wirtz be dropped for Gravenberch? Carragher says yes, but with three attackers injured, Iraola may have no choice but to keep him.
Is Barcola being unfairly judged given he arrived without a pre-season and has started only six games?
Liverpool's recruitment: £239m on two players who have yet to deliver — is the problem the players or the system?
If results don't improve in the next four games, how long before Iraola's own position is questioned?

What happens next

Liverpool travel to Austria to face LASK in the Champions League on Wednesday. It is the second of six matches in 18 days. With injuries biting, Iraola is expected to make changes. The following fixtures against Brentford, Villarreal and Brighton will define Liverpool's season. Wirtz and Barcola must start delivering, or the pressure on Iraola will become intolerable.

Frequently asked questions

Is Florian Wirtz playing for Liverpool against LASK?

Iraola did not confirm his starting XI but said he trusts Wirtz "100 per cent" and that changes will be made for freshness reasons and niggles. Wirtz is likely to be involved.