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Liverpool face a swift turnaround between their two trips to Molineux this week. The Reds will aim to respond to Tuesday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat when they meet Wolverhampton Wanderers again in the FA Cup on Friday.
With it marking their third game in seven days, Arne Slot is expected to rotate his squad. Steven Gerrard has already urged the manager to start Rio Ngumoha, and the teenager will be hoping for a rare opportunity from the outset.
However, Slot’s options are limited by injuries. Florian Wirtz has been sidelined since withdrawing during the warm-up before the Nottingham Forest clash on February 22.
The German has missed victories over Forest and West Ham, as well as Tuesday’s loss to Wolves, with a back issue that is not believed to be serious.
“I think that [Tuesday’s game] will be too early,” Arne Slot told reporters. “But I said last week I didn’t expect him not to be available for today, so sometimes things can develop in a positive or negative way in an injury, now we are thinking it doesn’t have to be too long, but Tuesday will probably be too early. “The week after will be tight as things stand now.”
It is nearly three months since Alexander Isak last played for Liverpool. The club’s record summer signing from Newcastle suffered an ankle injury, including a fibula fracture, while scoring in the 2-1 win over Tottenham on December 20. He underwent surgery two days later and has been rehabilitating since.
There is growing optimism over his return. Sweden boss Graham Potter has hinted at a comeback later this month, although Arne Slot has suggested early April is a more realistic target.
Wataru Endo also faces a spell out after being stretchered off with a foot injury during a rare Premier League start against Sunderland on February 11, with Slot initially fearing a lengthy absence.
Conor Bradley was carried off late in the goalless draw at Arsenal in January. While he avoided an ACL tear, the right-back required surgery to repair ruptured ligaments.
Giovanni Leoni sustained a torn ACL on his Liverpool debut in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton in September and is expected to miss the rest of the season and potentially the start of the next following surgery.
Meanwhile, Jayden Danns has endured a frustrating year with injuries. The forward has not featured since September due to a hamstring issue but has recently resumed training with the Under-21s as he steps up his recovery.
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