Moments before kick-off in Liverpool's Premier League match at Nottingham Forest, Arne Slot was forced to make a change to his starting line-up
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 pictured in the warm-up before pulling out of Liverpool's line-up to face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Florian Wirtz has handed Liverpool a fresh injury scare after being withdrawn from the warm-up shortly before kick-off against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
The Germany international was slated to start at the City Ground for the 2pm kick-off but injured himself beforehand and was replaced by Curtis Jones in the starting line-up.
Wirtz's injury issue means he was not dropped to the bench, leaving Arne Slot with just seven outfield subs for the game, more than half of which are the inexperienced quartet of Calvin Ramsay, Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha and Kieran Morrison, who was called up after scoring twice against Forest's Under-21s on Friday night at Loughborough University Stadium.
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It's unclear at this stage the severity of Wirtz's issue, with Slot expected to update supporters after the Premier League game, but the setback is just the latest in lengthy list of absentees for the Reds boss presently.
Slot is without a senior right-back to choose from due to problems for Conor Bradley, whose knee injury meant he had his season ended in January's draw with Arsenal, and Jeremie Frimpong, who is due back this month.
Alexander Isak is back in light training after his leg break at Tottenham Hotspur in December, with the £125m striker expected to be available at the start of April.
Teenage defender Giovanni Leoni suffered a season-ending ACL injury in September and Wataru Endo is thought to have broken his ankle in the 1-0 win at Sunderland earlier this month.
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