Florian Wirtz had to withdraw from Liverpool’s Premier League match at Nottingham Forest after sustaining an injury in the warm-up.
Wirtz was replaced by Curtis Jones in Liverpool’s starting XI. Jones was perhaps unlucky to drop out of the team after his starring role against Brighton last week, but, after playing right-back last Saturday, he came into midfield here, with Dominik Szoboszlai playing in defence.
The German international was seen in discussion with coaching staff during drills on the City Ground pitch, shaking his head, before walking away down the tunnel. He later reappeared to watch the game from behind the Liverpool dugout.
Arne Slot told his post-match press conference following the dramatic 1-0 win: "We don't think it is very serious, but he felt his back too much during the warm-up to start. He wasn't able to be 100 per cent or even close to 100 per cent. I think after being in this league for six, seven or eight months, he now understands no matter how good you are on the ball, you need to be 100 per cent at this level. So, we decided not to play him.
“We hope and expect he will be able to be with us again next week but you never know how things work out."
After a slow start to the season, Wirtz has become crucial to Liverpool’s attacking play in recent weeks, registering 11 goal involvements in his past 18 games in all competitions.
“It’s a big blow,” said Jamie Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports. “The last few months, he’s been the one knitting everything together. When you bring Curtis Jones in, he’s a central midfield player. [Wirtz] is a No 10 between the lines, so Liverpool are definitely going to miss a player in there.”
Liverpool drew level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United with their victory at Forest.
