Liverpool boss Arne Slot admits he doesn’t understand how lengthy Florian Wirtz might be sidelined with the again harm that noticed him miss final weekend’s win at Nottingham Forest.
The Germany worldwide was named within the beginning XI on the Metropolis Floor however pulled out after feeling discomfort.
He will certainly not play when Liverpool host West Ham tomorrow and Slot shouldn’t be positive when Wirtz might be out there once more.
“At this second time, I don’t know,” stated the Dutchman. “Often once I say that, I do know and I don’t need to share that. However this time, I truthfully don’t know.”
It’s a main blow for a Liverpool side pushing to clinch a top-four finish and seeking to transcend the spherical of 16 within the Champions League. Wirtz began slowly following his £116million transfer from Bayer Leverkusen final summer season however has began to flourish with 4 targets and two assists in his final 10 league video games.
“It’s a giant accomplishment for Wirtz to remain match for such a very long time as a result of he needed to make a step up from the place he performed to the Premier League and Liverpool,” Slot added. “It tells quite a bit about his mentality and work fee that he has stayed match for thus lengthy.
“It’s a disappointment for him and for us, as a result of he has performed actually, very well these days.”
Wirtz absence will imply others must step up – Slot
With Wirtz not out there, Liverpool may do with Mohamed Salah discovering his taking pictures boots.
The Egypt worldwide has not scored within the Premier League since November 1 – a exceptional drought for a person who netted 29 instances in 38 league video games final season as Liverpool cruised to the title – though he spent over a month away on the Africa Cup of Nations.
Slot stated: “He has set his personal requirements and they’re so, so, so excessive that the second he doesn’t rating for just a few video games, persons are instantly stunned, so that’s the huge praise he can get.
“For me it was solely three video games in the past he had an help and a aim towards a Premier League aspect, Brighton, an excellent group, within the FA Cup. So that’s the actuality. You’ll be able to change information and say it’s no aim in 9 league video games and that’s the customary he set.
“We’re used to [Salah] scoring lots of targets – I believe that’s the most important distinction in his performances proper now.
“However we additionally know, even in my time, it has occurred. I’ve had questions on Mo not scoring for 3 or 4 video games however I do know he all the time scores once more ultimately. That’s the problem he and we now have in the meanwhile.
“He isn’t our solely attacker who doesn’t rating as a lot as we’re used to. It’s not that the main focus ought to be all on him, Hugo [Ekitike] and Cody [Gakpo] haven’t scored that many targets lately as effectively, so it’s a group factor. However we hold clear sheets, so we don’t want to attain as many.”
Slot calls for Liverpool preserve tempo in Champions League battle
Liverpool have gained three of their final 4 league video games and go into the weekend in sixth place.
With Manchester United and Chelsea additionally in good kind, Slot is aware of there will be no slip-up towards the relegation-threatened Hammers tomorrow.
“We all know we have to win lots of video games, as a result of our opponents for these Champions League locations are superb groups as effectively,” he stated. “Successful quite a bit, that’s the place our focus is. Not a lot about factors and gaps though we’re conscious of the desk. That’s for positive.”
