Florian Wirtz is set to miss Liverpool’s game against West Ham United through injury, according to head coach Arne Slot.
The 22-year-old suffered a back issue during the warm-up ahead of the 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest last weekend.
The midfielder dropped out of the line-up, being replaced by Curtis Jones ahead of kick-off. The hope was that the precaution taken would allow him to be available for upcoming fixtures.
However, Jeremie Frimpong is fit and available, with the right-back recovering from his third muscle injury of the campaign, which he sustained early on in the 6-0 Champions League group phase victory over Qarabag last month.
The 25-year-old’s return boosts head coach Arne Slot’s options at right-back with Conor Bradley ruled out for the rest of the campaign after suffering a significant knee injury last month. Midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones have started in that position during the Netherlands international’s absence.
“Jeremie is (available), he trained with us a few times this week so he is available,” Slot told reporters during his pre-West Ham press conference.
“I don’t expect Florian to be available so that’s disappointing. Of course, every time a player is not available it’s a disappointment and also something I didn’t expect after last week but it’s sometimes how things can evolve and unfortunately this time not in a positive way.
Wirtz’s absence will be a blow as the Germany international has been in excellent form in recent months.
The return of Frimpong does open up the possibility of Szoboszlai returning into the midfield No.10 position, where he has excelled under Slot.
The Liverpool head coach, though, admitted he was unsure when Wirtz would return.
“At this moment in time, no,” Slot said when asked about the possible injury timeframe. “Usually when I say that I do, I just don’t want to share it but now I honestly don’t know.
“He has a rhythm of course. It is a big accomplishment of him that he stayed fit for such a long time because he had to make a step from where he played towards Liverpool and the Premier League.
“That he stays fit all the time tells you a lot about the mentality and the work rate of the player, and the performance staff, but this week and last week he is not available and that’s a disappointment for him and us because he played really well lately.”