Liverpool bagged a 4-2 win against Bournemouth in their opening game of the 2025/26 Premier League on August 16, at Anfield.
The match also saw Florian Wirtz make his Premier League debut for Liverpool. The German star was on the pitch for 82 minutes before being subbed off by Federico Chiesa, and was involved in three key passes.
Wirtz arrived at Anfield from his boyhood club Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year contract for a club-record transfer fee in June. The 22-year-old turned heads with his performances for the Bundesliga side last season, recording 16 goals and 15 assists in 45 matches.
While his arrival at Liverpool comes with big expectations, Wirtz’s first league appearance may not have met those. However, former Reds defender Jamie Carragher shares the opinion that the midfielder could become the Premier League’s next Kevin De Bruyne-like superstar.
What did Jamie Carragher say about Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz?
De Bruyne parted ways with Man City this summer after an illustrious decade-long career at the English side, winning a total of 19 trophies, including six Premier League titles.
The Belgian maestro, currently playing for Napoli, is a Premier League legend with the second-most assists (119) in the history of the top flight.
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While speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher tipped Wirtz to be the next ‘superstar’ of the Premier League, especially after De Bruyne’s departure, and said,
“I think Liverpool getting that deal done was fantastic. He came off on Friday night and probably wasn’t at his absolute best, but even so, he still showed some silky, lovely touches – there’s just something special when you watch him play,” as per GOAL.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how he performs next weekend. I’m already imagining the Liverpool team next Monday. He might actually play as a false nine, or Liverpool might go with a striker alongside him. With Kevin De Bruyne leaving, we needed a superstar in that kind of position in the league, and I think he could be that player to watch.”
Wirtz and Liverpool are set to face Newcastle next in the league on August 25 at St. James’ Park.
