Arne Slot had to deal with a last-minute injury to Florian Wirtz in the warm-up before Liverpool’s win over Nottingham Forest.
Losing Wirtz just minutes before kick-off was exactly what Liverpool didn’t need.
The only Premier League game the German has missed since coming to Anfield was actually the reverse fixture against Forest — a 3-0 loss back in October.
He was sorely missed, with the Reds unable to create much at all before Alexis Mac Allister’s late winner for Liverpool.
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Mohamed Salah shakes Arne Slot's hand as he comes off during Liverpool's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Creidt; Getty Images/Liverpool FC
As for the severity of the injury, Slot has eased the concerns of all of us.
Florian Wirtz injury not serious, Arne Slot shares expectation
Liverpool can’t afford to lose their creative hub this late in the season.
Luckily, it doesn’t look like that will be an issue for Wirtz.
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In his post-Forest press conference, Slot said: “We don’t think it’s very serious, but he felt his back too much during the warm-up to start. He wasn’t able to be 100 per cent or even close to 100 per cent.
“I think after being in this league for six, seven or eight months, he understands that no matter how good you are on the ball you need to be 100 per cent at this level.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool walks past Arne Slot manager / head coach of Liverpool after the Premier League match between Brentford and Liverpool at Gtech Community Stadium
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
“So, we decided not to play him, but we hope and expect that he will be able to be with us again next week, but you never know how things will go.”
A slight tweak, nothing more.
And the game at the City Ground showed exactly why that’s such a big boost.
Jermaine Pennant claims Liverpool were lost without Florian Wirtz
Watching the game, Jermaine Pennant noticed Wirtz’s absence immediately. We all did.
There was no spark, no real playmaking, and Hugo Ekitike looked lost.
As the former Liverpool midfielder explained on X: “Without Wirtz, Liverpool look lost, struggle to connect midfield to forward line with clever touches and passes, zero creativity, especially when we’ve got Szoboszlai playing as a RB.
“Jones, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, zero creativity…… gonna be a long afternoon.”
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Nottingham Forest v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
It was a long afternoon, but it was a rare stroke of luck for the Reds to steal it at the end.
A huge three points, but concerning how poor Liverpool looked without Wirtz. Really need him back for the next one.
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