Arne Slot has confirmed that Florian Wirtz will miss Liverpool’s Premier League clash against West Ham United on Saturday with a back injury.
The German international was initially named in the starting lineup for last weekend’s 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, but pulled out during the prematch warmups with a back issue and was replaced by Curtis Jones.
The injury will now rule him out of action for a while, with Slot uncertain about a return date for the 22-year-old.
“I don’t expect Florian [Wirtz] to be available. It’s a disappointment. Every time a player is not available is a disappointment, it’s something that I didn’t expect after last week”, Slot confirmed during Friday’s press conference.
“At this moment time, I don’t know. Usually when I say that, I do know and I don’t want to share that. But this time, I honestly don’t know.
It’s a big accomplishment for Wirtz to stay fit for such a long time because he had to make a step up from where he played to the Premier League and Liverpool. It tells a lot about his mentality and work rate that he has stayed fit for so long.”, the Liverpool boss added.
“It is a disappointment for him and for us, because he has played really, really well lately.”
Wirtz’s absence will be a major blow for Liverpool, with the attacking midfielder just beginning to find form after his big-money transfer last summer.
The Reds, meanwhile, have received a major boost at right-back as Jeremie Frimpong returns to action in over a month.
“Jeremie [Frimpong] trained with us a few times this week. So he’s available”, Slot concluded.
Liverpool hope for a victory to move higher in the Premier League standings, as they continue their chase to qualify for the UEFA Champions League at the end of the campaign.
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