Liverpool FC News & Briefing: Wirtz Warning and Fixture Changes

It has been a relatively quiet night for major Liverpool news, with no credible new transfer, contract, ownership or first-team injury developments. The main updates concern changes to the November fixture list, Jamie Carragher’s increasingly forthright assessment of Florian Wirtz and developments surrounding Liverpool FC Women.

Three of Liverpool’s Premier League matches in November have been moved after being selected for live television coverage.

The away game against Crystal Palace will now kick off at 2pm on Sunday, November 8, and will be shown by Sky Sports. Manchester United’s visit to Anfield has been scheduled for 4.30pm on Sunday, November 22, also on Sky Sports. The month will conclude with the Merseyside derby at Everton, which will begin at midday on Sunday, November 29, and will be broadcast by TNT Sports. All three kick-off times are GMT.

The changes create three successive Sunday league fixtures during November, including two demanding away trips and one of the biggest home matches of the season. The midday start at Everton will be particularly relevant to supporters making travel arrangements, while the Manchester United match receives the familiar late-Sunday television slot.

Florian Wirtz’s form has meanwhile become the subject of a particularly strong intervention from Jamie Carragher. Speaking after Liverpool’s 1–0 victory at Bournemouth, Carragher described the midfielder’s performance as one of his poorest in a Liverpool shirt and argued that he should not start against Manchester City after the international break.

Carragher’s concern goes beyond a single difficult afternoon. He believes Wirtz has too often been neat and tidy without sufficiently hurting opponents, and he questioned whether Liverpool are receiving the decisive attacking influence expected from such an expensive signing. Wirtz was replaced after 71 minutes at Bournemouth as Liverpool struggled to produce a fluent attacking display.

Those comments are Carragher’s opinion rather than an indication that Andoni Iraola has decided to drop the player. Wirtz remains an exceptionally gifted footballer, but the debate over his place is becoming harder to ignore with Manchester City awaiting Liverpool after the break. Iraola must decide whether to retain faith in him for a major match or alter the balance of the side.

There is also positive news from Liverpool FC Women. Summer signing Vivien Endemann has become the first player in Women’s Super League history to both score and provide an assist in two of her first three appearances in the competition. She achieved the feat in the opening 4–0 victory at Charlton and repeated it during Friday’s 4–2 defeat at Manchester City.

Gareth Taylor has also provided an injury update before Wednesday’s Subway Players Cup match against Sunderland. Goalkeeper Khiara Keating picked up a minor problem against Manchester City and could be out of training for a few days, although it is not thought to be serious. Ceri Holland will not return until after the international break, while Lucy Parry faces a longer spell out.

Mari Ward is unavailable against Sunderland, although Taylor hopes her absence will not be prolonged. Kirsty Maclean is closer to returning, and Zara Shaw is back with the squad following her involvement with England at the Under-20 World Cup. Liverpool Women then face Everton at Anfield in the WSL on Sunday.

Finally, reports linking Liverpool with new players remain extremely thin. A suggestion that Liverpool should consider Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey came from a pundit discussing his recent form; there is no reported approach, negotiation or established Liverpool interest. It should not be mistaken for an active transfer story.