NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Florian Wirtz of Liverpool looks on during the warm up prior to the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at City Ground on February 22, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz picked up an injury
An injury to saw Liverpool make a last-minute change to their starting XI against . Wirtz, 23, is understood to have suffered a muscle injury in the warm-up, forcing to replace him with .
The German's absence adds to Liverpool's woes on the fitness front. Wirtz joins the likes of , Jeremie Frimpong, Wataru Endo, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni on the sidelines.
Slot is expected to provide an update on the midfielder post-match. Wirtz's injury comes as he was picking up form in a shirt, having endured a slow start to life at Anfield following .
The former star has scored six goals and provided three assists in the last two months. Wirtz was outstanding in Liverpool's last outing, as he dazzled to help the Reds record a hard-fought 1-0 win.
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After dropped points on Saturday and with not in action until Monday, Liverpool can boost their hopes of qualifying for the by beating Forest. Their hosts are also in desperate need of three points, as they battle to avoid relegation under new manager .
Portuguese boss Pereira enjoyed a winning start to his Forest tenure on Thursday, as they romped to a 3-0 win away to in the . Forest also beat Liverpool in the reverse fixture in November.
"Back then they were in a different management as well, because I think it was third or fourth game," Slot said. "That sometimes makes it a little bit more difficult because we only have tonight to see if this manager changes personnel, changes tactics.
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"The good thing is that there is still one game to be played before we play them and we, of course, know him because he worked last season in the Premier League as well. But usually you would also adapt to the players you have. Although managers have a preferred playing style, you take into account which players you have as well. So, let's see.
"It was a difficult game for us in the beginning of the season – although, again, I'm going to say the same in that the first half-hour was very, very good from us, [with] chance after chance and then we conceded a set-piece and the game went completely the opposite way. So, we know what we can expect if we play Forest because I've played them three times already."
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