Arne Slot has picked Dominik Szoboszlai to start in an attacking midfield role for Liverpool against West Ham this afternoon.
Florian Wirtz was named in the Liverpool starting XI against Nottingham Forest last weekend but pulled out after not feeling 100% in the warm-up.
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Slot then revealed that the German had been struggling with his back ahead of the game, but was hopeful of issue was not too serious ahead of facing the Hammers.
The Liverpool boss provided an update on Wirtz during the pre-match press conference on Friday, confirming the attacking midfielder will not be fit for the visit of West Ham on Saturday.
“I don’t expect Florian to be available, that is a disappointment of course,” the Dutchman told reporters.
“Every time a player is not available it is a disappointment and also something I did not expect after last week but that is sometimes how things evolve and unfortunately this time it is not in a positive way.”
While Wirtz is not available for selection, Slot resisted the temptation to stick with the team that started the 1-0 win over Forest.
Joe Gomez comes into the side at right-back which means Szoboszlai gets the nod over Curtis Jones in midfield. Mohamed Salah continues in attack despite a poor showing at the City Ground as well as going nine Premier League games without a goal.
Jeremie Frimpong is available again after a month on the sidelines with a thigh injury, but is not handed an immediate recall, which is no surprise considering Liverpool have kept three successive clean sheets.
Confirmed team news
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike
Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Chiesa, Jones, Robertson, Frimpong, Nyoni, Ramsay, Ngumoha
