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Liverpool may have been handed another injury concern ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Chelsea.The Reds are preparing for the visit of the Blues as they look to secure Champions League qualification in the final three games of the season.
Chelsea are no longer in the race for the top five, leavingBournemouth, Brentford, and Brighton & Hove Albion as the remaining sides capable of catching Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Arne Slot will be hoping for a response after the defeat to Manchester United, but his task has been complicated by a growing injury list.
Alexander Isak, Mohamed Salah, Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Alisson Becker were all absent from Wednesday’s training session. Ibrahima Konate also missed out, having been substituted late on at Old Trafford.
In addition, Florian Wirtz did not take part in the main outdoor session at the AXA Training Centre. According to Sky Sports, both Konate and Wirtz trained away from the main group.
The reasons for their absences remain unclear, but both players still have time to recover ahead of the weekend fixture, which could prove decisive in Liverpool’s push for Champions League qualification.
Wirtz arrived at Liverpoolfor £116million in the summer transfer window, making him one of the most expensive signings in Premier League history, but has yet to consistently hit top form.
The Germany attacking midfielder has registered five goals and four assists in 31 Premier League games this season, with most of his contributions coming during the winter period. However, his form has dipped in recent weeks.
Arne Slot believes Florian Wirtz will continue to improve the longer he stays at Liverpool.Slot said ahead of Manchester United clash last weekend: “I don’t only hope that, I am 100% sure he will turn up [against top six teams].
“We play three of those now so there are chances but it so clear the development in 10 months, it is clear and obvious. 93 mins vs Crystal Palace, wins a throw-in and then hits it in the top corner.
“I was not convinced he could do that 8 months ago. His improvement, he was already an elite player, has been for me obvious. It will only continue.
“He is 23 on Sunday. That makes sense, every player is at his best at 25/26, he can only become better. That is the beauty of the signings we made.”