Florian Wirtz is a major doubt for Liverpool’s Premier League clash against West Ham this weekend.
Wirtz was named in the Liverpool starting XI against Nottingham Forest last weekend but pulled out after not feeling 100% in the warm-up.
Arne Slot then revealed that the German had been struggling with his back ahead of the game.
"We tried it in the warm-up and he wasn't able to play,” Slot told reporters. “The good thing is there is a week to go until the next game.
“We don’t think it is very serious. He felt his back too much during the warm-up to start. He wasn’t able to be 100% or close to 100%.
“I think after being in this league for six, seven or eight months that no matter how good you are on the ball, you need to be 100% at this level.
"So we decided not to play him but hope and expect him to be with us next week.”
The Liverpool boss will provide an update on Wirtz during the pre-match press conference, though the playmaker has hinted, on Instagram, that he will be fit to face the Hammers.
If Wirtz is available for selection, then it would allow Slot to stick with the team he intended to start the 1-0 win over Forest.
This would mean Curtis Jones drops back down to the bench and 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 could return from a thigh injury, but may not be handed an immediate recall especially considering Liverpool have kept three successive clean sheets.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Injured: Isak, Leoni, Bradley, Endo
Doubts: Wirtz, Frimpong
Time and date: 3pm GMT on Saturday, February 28, 2026
How to watch: Not on TV
Venue: Anfield
