Jamie Carragher delivers Liverpool demand to Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike

Liverpool has heavily relied on Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike in recent months, with the duo forming a crucial part of Arne Slot's plans in the final third of the pitch

Jamie Carragher has sent a clear message to two Liverpool stars(Image: Sky Sports)

Jamie Carragher has confessed he wants to see a greater end product from Liverpool pair Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz.

The two summer signings have become crucial to Arne Slot after injury setbacks in the squad, and several others are struggling for form. Wirtz, who picked up an injury on Sunday, endured a challenging start to life at Anfield, while Ekitike hit the ground running.

The roles have been somewhat reversed lately, with Wirtz excelling and Ekitike netting just two Premier League goals since mid-December. While the former is frequently the standout performer on the pitch, direct goal contributions have proved elusive with Carragher keen to see more decisive impact in the final third from both.

He said on Sky Sports: "In the second half of the season, Wirtz has been fantastic.

"But he still doesn't have the numbers to back it up. But you still love to watch him play football. There's no doubt we're seeing his real quality now. He's influencing the game.

"At Sunderland, no one had won there before (Liverpool did). He didn't get the goal or the assist, but if you watch that game, he was the best player on the pitch."

Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike have been Liverpool's best two attacking players this season(Image: Getty Images)

"Wirtz and Ekitike are doing well at the moment. But you feel they would need to go up another level to get Liverpool back in the title race next season."

The attacking pair have built a strong rapport on the pitch, with both Ekitike's and Liverpool's difficulties against Nottingham Forest on Sunday partly attributable to Wirtz's absence.

He had been set to start at the City Ground but withdrew at the last minute through injury.

Fortunately for Liverpool, he does not appear to be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, judging by Slot's post-match injury assessment. When pressed for an update on the injury, Slot said: "We don't think it is very serious.

"He felt his back too much during the warm-up to start. He wasn't able to be 100 percent or close to 100 percent. So we decided not to play him, but hope and expect him to be with us next week."

Alexis Mac Allister netted the crucial goal against Forest at the weekend, with Liverpool largely second best to the hosts.

Following the final whistle, Carragher also made his views abundantly clear regarding the overall display and the performances of three individuals. He began: "That's one of the biggest robberies I've seen in the Premier League this season.

"[Rio] Ngumoha did more in 15 minutes than [Mohamed] Salah and Cody [Gakpo] did before that. He changed the game and needs to be starting games. There's no one better in getting last-minute winners in Premier League - and that is Liverpool."