Liverpool will be looking to make it three Premier League wins in a row when they host West Ham at Anfield
Florian Wirtz during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Florian Wirtz won't be available for Liverpool vs West Ham due to injury. (Image: Lewis Storey, Getty Images)
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Liverpool will be aiming to maintain their recent momentum in the Premier League this weekend. Arne Slot's side welcome West Ham United to Anfield for Saturday's 3pm fixture.
The encounter arrives six days after a dramatic 1-0 away victory over Nottingham Forest in their most recent match. Alexis Mac Allister saw what appeared to be a late winner disallowed for handball, only to strike again in the 97th minute to secure crucial three points for the Reds.
Liverpool face another side fighting to preserve their top-flight status come the end of the season. The Hammers arrive at Anfield occupying 18th position in the standings, yet merely two points adrift of safety.
With matches arriving in quick succession, fitness concerns inevitably surround both squads ahead of Premier League encounters. With that in mind, here's an overview of the latest injury updates from both camps ahead of the fixture.
Liverpool
Slot has revealed that summer acquisition Florian Wirtz will be absent from the game against the Hammers owing to the back complaint he sustained during the warm-up against Nottingham Forest last week. Speaking in his pre-match press briefing, he stated: "I don't expect Florian to be available so that's a disappointment, of course.
"Every time a player is not available it's a disappointment and it's also something I didn't expect after last week, but that's sometimes how things can evolve and unfortunately this time not in a positive way."
When questioned about a potential return date, Slot continued: "No, at this moment of time, no – and usually when I say that I do know that but I don't want to share it! But now I honestly don't know."
Wirtz joins a growing injury list alongside long-term casualties Alexander Isak (ankle), Wataru Endo (foot), Giovanni Leoni (knee), Conor Bradley (knee) and Stefan Bajcetic (hamstring). Young prospect Jayden Danns is also likely to remain unavailable whilst continuing his rehabilitation from an earlier fitness concern.
On a more positive note for Liverpool, full-back Jeremie Frimpong has been confirmed as potentially available for the West Ham clash. The 25-year-old has been absent for the previous five matches across all competitions due to a hamstring problem.
Jeremie Frimpong during a training session at AXA Training Centre.
Jeremie Frimpong could return for Liverpool against West Ham. (Image: Andrew Powell, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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West Ham
The Hammers face a considerably better injury outlook, with Nuno Espirito Santo anticipating just two players ruled out through injury and one suspended. Forward Pablo Felipe, who arrived at the club in January, appears unlikely to feature.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Nuno revealed: "He (Pablo) didn't join us yet. He's starting his individual programme, so he's improving day by day. We'll keep assessing him and see when he can return. Hopefully it's soon, because we miss him."
Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who has been out for most of the season with a back injury, is expected to remain sidelined. Midfielder Freddie Potts will also be unavailable as he serves the second game of a three-match suspension following his sending off in the FA Cup tie against Burton Albion.
In addition, Nuno hinted at potential further issues within the squad, though he refrained from providing specifics. "There are always things to assess," he stated.
"We have another training session tomorrow (Friday) and then we will travel."
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