Liverpool are worried about Florian Wirtz’s availability ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round clash against Chelsea. The German was forced off in Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Brighton with an ankle injury. The 23-year-old was forced off midway through the second half with an ankle injury and was replaced by Trey Nyoni in the 65th minute. He walked straight down the tunnel, but Andoni Iraola played down any concerns.
Iraola said:
“Unfortunately, he had to leave the pitch with a small twist of the ankle. It doesn’t look very big, but we are playing every three days so we need to see where he is.”
Official Fantasy Premier League data shows he has a 75% chance of playing this week. Other reports claim he could return for Wednesday’s game or Arsenal’s visit to Anfield on Sunday, November 1.
Wirtz isn’t the only one that Liverpool are worried about. Both Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong are missing from the squad due to hamstring injuries, and Iraola admitted it’ll be hard to get Frimpong back before the November international break. Victor Munoz is also a doubt with a knee injury. Additionally, Hugo Ekitike (Achilles), Conor Bradley (knee) and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) are all sidelined.
Ronald Araujo has been playing at right-back in place of Frimpong and Bradley, and the Barcelona defender has done a remarkable job. However, a weakened Liverpool do pose an opportunity for the Blues. Chelsea are missing Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, but without Wirtz and Szoboszlai, Liverpool will miss two of their most creative and energetic midfielders.
Andoni Iraola: “It Is About Being Better With Him on the Pitch”
Wirtz and Alonso have a history together, having won the Bundesliga and German Cup at Bayer Leverkusen. Wirtz then moved to Liverpool in a deal worth up to £116 million. Xabi Alonso has made it clear to the hierarchy at the club that they should look to move for Wirtz if he does become available, according to reports. However, Liverpool have no plans to sell him, and he is contracted to the club until 2030.
Iraola praised the German after the victory against Brighton, saying that he is more than just numbers:
“It is not just about the numbers. It is about being better with him on the pitch.”
Wirtz entered the weekend as the Premier League’s top chance creator, with 20 chances created. Whether he plays against his ex-manager will depend on how his ankle holds up in the next couple of days.