Arne Slot gives unexpected Florian Wirtz Liverpool injury update - 'I honestly don't know'
- mrwedwards
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Florian Wirtz has been ruled out of Liverpool's Premier League clash against West Ham United this weekend - with Arne Slot admitting he has no idea when the attacking midfielder will return.
But the Reds will be bolstered by the return of Jeremie Frimpong for the visit of the Hammers on Saturday afternoon after almost a month on the sidelines.
Wirtz was named in the starting line-up for last week's win at Nottingham Forest but was forced to withdraw shortly before kick-off after complaining of a back problem.
Speaking immediately after the game, Slot was confident the 22-year-old would not face an extended spell on the sidelines. But the Liverpool boss offered a more gloomy update when speaking on Friday morning.
Slot
"We don't expect Florian to be available,"
"That's a disappointment, something I didn't expect after last week. Sometimes that's how things can evolve."
Asked if he had any idea of the length of absence, the Reds head coach added:
"No. Usually I do but don't want to share it but I honestly don't know.
“It’s definitely a shame. He has rhythm, of course, and in my opinion it’s already 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, towards the Premier League, and that he stayed fit tells you lot about the mentality and work-rate of a player, and the performance staff.
“But unfortunately last week and this week he’s not available – and that is indeed a disappointment for him, but also for us because he played really, really, really well lately.”
Frimpong has been absent since suffering a groin problem early in the Champions Leaguewin over Qarabag on January 28.
And of the Holland international, Slot said: "Jeremie trained with us a few times this week, he is available."
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