Florian Wirtz became the latest absentee for Liverpool when his name was left off the team sheet for Chelsea‘s Premier League visit.
Arne Slot made three changes to his starting lineup against Chelsea, with Giorgi Mamardashvili, Milos Kerkez and Rio Ngumoha all earning a start.
While Andy Robertson and Freddie Woodman dropped to the bench following starts at Old Trafford, Wirtz was notably absent from the 20-man squad.
And the German misses out due to illness after missing Wednesday’s session, which left Slot unsure as to his availability on the eve of the match.
“Florian was a bit unwell [on Wednesday], but he trained with us yesterday also,” Slot told reporters on Friday. “I think Flo is available, but let’s see today (Friday).”
His absence, therefore, means he was not able to recover in time to feature, either from the start or as an impact substitution, with the BBC Sport reporting he has a stomach bug.
It is the third different time Wirtz has missed a game due to injury or illness this season, and his latest omission ends a run of 11 starts in a row.
Alexander Isak and Giorgi Mamardashvili return
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 20, 2025: Liverpool's substitute Alexander Isak on the bench before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC at Anfield. The 247th Merseyside Derby. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool were forced to be without one key figure against Chelsea, but Slot welcomed Mamardashvili back into the starting lineup after he missed the last two games due to the effects of his clash at Everton.
With Alisson still sidelined and yet to return to training due to a hamstring injury, Freddie Woodman is back on the bench.
Alexander Isak, meanwhile, is available after a groin issue kept him out of the squad against Man United, with the striker having returned to training on Thursday.
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha; Gakpo
Substitutes: Woodman, Gomez, Ndiaye, Robertson, Nyoni, Morrison, Wright, Chiesa, Isak