Slot has lost a key playerplaceholder image
Slot has lost a key player | Getty Images
Liverpool have been handed an injury blow ahead of their clash with West Ham.
Liverpool have been handed an injury blow ahead of their clash with West Ham this weekend, The Hammers head to Anfield in good spirits having been in fine form of late, cutting the gap to safety down to just two points.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have given themselves a real opportunity, but there is still work to do and they are going to have to remain consistent through a tough run of games, with their next four looking particularly tricky.
Liverpool have improved themselves, and they are now just three points off the top four and Manchester United, beating Nottingham Forest with a stoppage time goal last time out.
But as they prepare for a run of games that will see them take on West Ham, Wolves and Tottenham, the Reds have lost Florian Wirtz to injury, and they do not yet know how long for, though there is some better news for them in the form of Jeremie Frimpong’s return.
“Jeremie is. He trained with us a few times this week so he is available,” Slot said in his pre-match press conference. “I don’t expect Florian to be available so that’s a disappointment, of course. Every time a player is not available it’s a disappointment and it’s 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 has a timeline for Wirtz, he added: “No, at this moment of time, no – and usually when I say that I do know that but I don’t want to share it! But now I honestly don’t know.
“It’s definitely a shame. He has rhythm, of course, and in my opinion it’s already a big accomplishment of 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 tells you lot about the mentality and work-rate of a player, and the performance staff.
“But unfortunately last week and this week he’s not available – and that is indeed a disappointment for him, but also for us because he played really, really, really well lately.”
Wirtz has provided six goals and eight assists for Liverpool so far this season and is undoubtedly one of their best players. West Ham certainly won’t be disappointed with his absence.
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