Arne Slot was forced into a late change after Florian Wirtz picked up an injury during the warm-up ahead of Liverpool’s match against Nottingham Forest.
It was far from the ideal start for Liverpool, especially with how important Wirtz has become under Slot this season.
This was not the first time Wirtz had missed a game this season, and it just so happened to be against the same opposition. Back in October, Liverpool lost 3-0 to Forest in what was his only other absence.
His presence was clearly missed again, as Liverpool struggled to break down Forest until Alexis Mac Allister found a late winner.
But speaking after the game, Slot played down any fears over a long-term issue for Wirtz.
Arne Slot shares injury update on Florian Wirtz after Nottingham Forest match
Wirtz is a player Liverpool cannot do without at this stage of the season.
Fortunately for them, it does not appear to be a serious problem for the German star.
Slot said after the game: “We don’t think it’s 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 understands that 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, but we hope and expect that he will be able to be with us again next week, but you never know how things will go.”
The game away at Forest highlighted exactly why that is such a big relief.
Jermaine Pennant claims Liverpool were lost without Florian Wirtz
Jermaine Pennant spotted Wirtz’s absence straight away, and he was not alone. It was clear to everyone watching.
Liverpool were flat, missing any real playmaking influence, and Hugo Ekitike had little to work with.
“Without Wirtz, Liverpool look lost, struggle to connect midfield to forward line with clever touches and passes, zero creativity, especially when we’ve got Szoboszlai playing as a RB,” he wrote on X.
“Jones, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, zero creativity…… gonna be a long afternoon.”
The game played out just as he expected until that late bit of luck swung the result in their favour.
Liverpool picked up a valuable win, but looked far from convincing without their main creator. They will be hoping he is back soon.
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