Liverpool's Florian Wirtz Suffers Setback, Ruled Out for West Ham Clash
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered a disappointing update on midfielder Florian Wirtz, confirming the German international will be unavailable for Saturday's Premier League match against West Ham United at Anfield. This marks a significant reversal from earlier optimism about his fitness.
Injury Timeline and Manager's Comments
Wirtz, who joined Liverpool in a record-breaking transfer from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, was a late withdrawal from last weekend's dramatic 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest after sustaining a back injury during the warm-up. Following that match, Slot expressed confidence that the 22-year-old would recover in time for the West Ham fixture.
However, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, the Dutch manager revealed a more pessimistic outlook. 'I don't expect Florian to be available so that's a disappointment,' Slot stated. 'Every time my player isn't 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.'
When questioned about the severity of Wirtz's injury, Slot admitted uncertainty: 'At this moment of time, no. And usually when I say that I do know but I don't want to share it, but now I honestly don't know.'
Wirtz's Impact and Recent Form
The injury comes at an unfortunate time for both player and club. After a slow adaptation period following his high-profile move, Wirtz had begun to demonstrate his considerable talent in a Liverpool shirt. Since the beginning of 2026, he has contributed five goals and two assists across just twelve appearances in all competitions.
Slot praised Wirtz's development and resilience: 'It's a big accomplishment for him to stay fit for such a long time because he had to make the step up from where he played to Liverpool and 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. But unfortunately last week and this week he is not available, which is a disappointment for him and for us, because he played really well lately.'
Silver Lining: Frimpong Returns to Fitness
Amid the setback, Liverpool received positive news regarding defender Jeremie Frimpong. The full-back has recovered from an injury sustained against Qarabag in late January and is available for selection against West Ham.
'Jeremie is available. He trained with us a few times this week so he's available,' Slot confirmed, providing a welcome boost to Liverpool's defensive options.
The absence of Wirtz presents a tactical challenge for Slot as Liverpool seeks to maintain momentum in the Premier League. His creative influence and recent goal contributions will be missed against a West Ham side looking to improve their own league position.
