Florian Wirtz will definitely miss Liverpool’s clash with West Ham on Saturday and Arne Slot has given a worrying verdict with no clarity on when he will return.
Wirtz pulled out of Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest at the last minute due to a back injury and will remain unavailable for the foreseeable future.
That comes as a surprise to Slot and his medical staff who had expected the No. 7 to return for the visit of West Ham in the Premier League this weekend.
But speaking in his pre-match press conference the head coach gave a downcast verdict on Wirtz’s injury.
“I don’t expect Florian to be available. That’s a disappointment of course,” he told reporters at the AXA Training Centre.
“Every time when a player’s not available it’s a disappointment – and also something I didn’t expect after last week.
“But that’s sometimes how things can evolve and unfortunately this time not in a positive way.”
Asked if he could set a date for Wirtz’s return, Slot said: “At this moment of time, no.
“And when I usually say that I do know that but I don’t want to share it. Now I honestly don’t know.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, January 4, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz reacts to his attempt on goal flagged offside which was later ruled as a goal by a VAR check during the FA Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
This absence is a major blow to Liverpool as the Germany international has become one of their most important players, having come close to the form that earned his £116 million move from Bayer Leverkusen.
Put to him that it is a frustrating setback for Wirtz due to the rhythm he has finally found, Slot said: “He has a rhythm of course.
“It’s, in my opinion, already a big accomplishment for him that he stayed fit for such a long time.
“Because he had to make a step from where he played towards Liverpool, towards the Premier League, and that he stayed fit all the time tells you a lot about the mentality and the work rate of a player – and about the performance staff.
“But unfortunately last week and this week he’s not available.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“And that is indeed a disappointment for him but definitely also for us because he played really, really, really, really well lately.”
It remains to be seen if Wirtz will be fit for the first of two clashes with Wolves at Molineux in the space of four days on Tuesday night but it seems unlikely.
Slot will however have Jeremie Frimpong back from Saturday, saying: “He trained with us a few times this week. So he is available.”